Konica C35 New Skin

[Ralf]

I picked up a little C35V with tatty leatherette (torn/gouged on the film door). So I tore the vinyl off and replaced it with real leather from am old breifcase. It was much easier than I expected, the torn off vinyl was still tacky hence it was easy to use as a template. From there I just glued it on. It has a completely different feel now due to the slight tackiness of the leather.

I ran a test roll through it and it leaked light everywhere. I've solved that temporarily at least with chopped up mouse pad foam. I'm not sure if it works yet. The exposure seemed to be Ok and the lens is sharp enough for my needs (occasional B&W snapshots)

Any thoughts?

Let me know if I'll look like a complete prat in public with the this thing please, sometimes we folk need a little direction

 

[Roman]

Wow, nice (and that's coming from someone who generally prefers all-black cameras...)!

Do give the C35 a try with color film, though - that Hexanon does nice things to color

Roman

 

[Ralf]

Thanks Roman. I will run a roll of HP5 though it first and then try some colour. I generally use Reala or Fuji NPC.

Is there anything in particular I should expect with the colours though this lens??

 

[Trius]

Ralf: I second Roman's sentiments. I think it looks smashing! I'm not particulary addicted to black, but I think that colour of leather is perfect for that little beauty. I have a C35, and I think I'll do what you've done.

I haven't shot colour prints in mine for awhile, but IIRC, the contrast is every so slightly lower than some others, and it gives nice soft, yet still accurate colours. That may have been the film I was using. I can't remember the brand, so I can't be sure.

In any event, keep us posted.

Trius

 

[Roman]

Colors are very contrasty, glowing and saturated for a camera of its age - kinda of like from a Lomo, but with much better sharpness.
My expereince is only with cheapo consumer type film (agfa, mostly), though.

Roman

 

[RFFan]

Konica C35

Konica C35

The Konica C35 is a GREAT little camera and much underrated. Although the build quality isn’t high, the 38/F2.8 lens produces beautiful colour photos – sharp, contrasty and with a discernible ‘glow’ even on a neutral film like Fuji Reala. I also own the highly-regarded Olympus 35SP and at the risk of upsetting Olympus fans I have to say that the C35 lens has more ‘bite’ than the Olympus. My C35 is fast becoming my constant companion.

By the way, the Minolta hi-matic G and the Yashica 35 ME (which I also shoot) are basically the same camera as the C35 V and have the same sparkling lens.

 

[Trius]

The Konica C35 is a GREAT little camera and much underrated. Although the build quality isn’t high, the 38/F2.8 lens produces beautiful colour photos – sharp, contrasty and with a discernible ‘glow’ even on a neutral film like Fuji Reala. I also own the highly-regarded Olympus 35SP and at the risk of upsetting Olympus fans I have to say that the C35 lens has more ‘bite’ than the Olympus. My C35 is fast becoming my constant companion.

By the way, the Minolta hi-matic G and the Yashica 35 ME (which I also shoot) are basically the same camera as the C35 V and have the same sparkling lens.

Gaaack!!! More "bite" than my 35SPs? Heresy!! We'll see about that! To be honest, the only roll of colour I've run through the SP was on a body that had some problems, and had to have the rear element replaced. It's back all fixed up now, so.... on my upcoming camping vacation, I'll take both, loaded with the same film, make the same shots, and I'll do a fair comparison.

Trius

 

[Kim Coxon]

I ran a test roll through it and it leaked light everywhere. I've solved that temporarily at least with chopped up mouse pad foam. I'm not sure if it works yet. The exposure seemed to be Ok and the lens is sharp enough for my needs (occasional B&W snapshots)

Any thoughts?

If you want to cure the light leaks properly, get hold of Jon Goodman, another member here and get one of his seal kits. It will be one of the best iinvestments you can make.

Kim

 

[RFFan]

Gaaack!!! More "bite" than my 35SPs? Heresy!! We'll see about that! To be honest, the only roll of colour I've run through the SP was on a body that had some problems, and had to have the rear element replaced. It's back all fixed up now, so.... on my upcoming camping vacation, I'll take both, loaded with the same film, make the same shots, and I'll do a fair comparison.

Trius

The Olympus 35 SP is a very fine camera with a great specification (that's why I have one myself!) and a very good lens but one that I feel is a little overrated. I have shot 'real world' test shots (i.e. 3-D targets) using both the 35SP and the C35 and whilst the resolution of both lenses is very close the 35SP can't replicate the 'glow' that the C35 has. Also, I feel that the micro-contrast of the C35 lens is probably higher than the Olympus lens leading to a greater perception of depth in the photos. That said, I look forward to reading your own conclusions once you've done some comparison shots.