Konica Eye 2 information?

[Bill58]

I saw one of these yesterday in a local camera shop for the 1st time. It was in pristine condition. Googling it revealed it was a half-frame 35mm made in 1964-5. Anybody have one and can comment on it's functioning, quality of images and value?

Thanks,
Bill

 

[btgc]

Check if selenium meter is alive as it's AE only (aperture can be selected for flash shots, that's at 1/30). Presence of lens cap gives hope.

Value? You see, Leica guys note gear going cheaper, so...it depends. If you don't have any half-frame camera, go for it, they are fun. As Konica it should have proper lens. I have Yashica 72-E, fully manual exposure and find vertically oriented frame good for people shots.

In case you haven't noted, it were sold also as Wards Eye, probably this can help finding one without too much contention. FED Micron is copy made in USSR, though I can't comment on reliability/materials used.

And, it's scale focuser, not RF. Not a problem in fact.


UPD: seems I mixed EYE version 2 with EYE 2, which is slightly different visually and has CdS cell. Anyway, it should be nice toy.

 

[fotobiblios]

Good lens, very useable IF the meter is working. Quite rare compared with the Eye. There was even an Eye 3 with hotshoe and, I think, self timer.
Often advertised as CYC not EYE because of script used. Go for it.

Danny

 

[btgc]

Just got back roll shot in half-frame Yashica - 99.5% are people shots. There's some magic about frame orientation.

 

[ZeissFan]

I see a Konica Eye on eBay ("that auction site") with a Buy It Now price of $289, which is absurd given the fact that the camera's previous owner scratched his name on the back of the camera, apparently with a nail.