Konica I,II, III, and IIIM: Mini Review

[raid]

Jack: Now you have a really nice camera that will last for ages to come. The II is a very nice looking camera. I have it now in my camera bag, ready for some photography.

Steve:You can always buy another one like it. They show up here and there on eaby,

 

[Eryximachos]

loganvillejc: That's a great story about your Konica II.

 

[loganvillejc]

Thanks. I really appreciate your comment.

 

[BillBingham2]

Raid,

My III was around my neck throughout my first year of High School. It was a great camera for flash, even if it did have a funny location for the wind level. I've always lusted after the S3 and wonder if the lens on those was as good as on my III.

Thanks.

B2 (;->

 

[Gooch]

Raid,

Thanks for the write up. It's great to see others using the older Konica RF's. I've had a Konica I for about 3 months now and have been testing it out. I love its simplicity and quality. It has some heft to it and the VF is clear and easy to focus. I like the placement of the shutter release, for candid street shots I can hold the camera one handed in the palm of my right hand with my pointer finger and thumb around the lens and use my thumb to release the shutter. Also the leaf shutter is whisper quiet. Although on my camera the slower shutter speeds sound a little slow (1-1/10s) the faster speeds seem right on. I have been able to expose 3 rolls of film using sunny 16 and got all good exposures.

It only has a few drawbacks. It can be easy to forget to press the film advance button and get a double exposure. The film spools backwards so you get a kink in the film lead. It has an ASA flash connector. I was fortunate enough to have an old fan flash for a Ricoh that had a 2 sided ASA / PC connector wired to bi-post. I was able to cut the wire off and with a little wire shrink wrap to make it prettier had an instant adapter (See Photo)

For a hood I was able to get a square Konihood that I think is for the Konica III. It’s about 37mm and a little too big. I took an old 35.5mm filter took out the glass and it fits perfect in the back of the hood serving as a push on ring. Also the ring gives me threads to put a filter in the front of the hood.

I’m overall impressed with the camera and hoping to get an II, or III soon.

-Tom

 

[raid]

Raid,

Thanks for the write up. It's great to see others using the older Konica RF's. I've had a Konica I for about 3 months now and have been testing it out. I love its simplicity and quality. It has some heft to it and the VF is clear and easy to focus. I like the placement of the shutter release, for candid street shots I can hold the camera one handed in the palm of my right hand with my pointer finger and thumb around the lens and use my thumb to release the shutter. Also the leaf shutter is whisper quiet. Although on my camera the slower shutter speeds sound a little slow (1-1/10s) the faster speeds seem right on. I have been able to expose 3 rolls of film using sunny 16 and got all good exposures.

It only has a few drawbacks. It can be easy to forget to press the film advance button and get a double exposure. The film spools backwards so you get a kink in the film lead. It has an ASA flash connector. I was fortunate enough to have an old fan flash for a Ricoh that had a 2 sided ASA / PC connector wired to bi-post. I was able to cut the wire off and with a little wire shrink wrap to make it prettier had an instant adapter (See Photo)

For a hood I was able to get a square Konihood that I think is for the Konica III. It’s about 37mm and a little too big. I took an old 35.5mm filter took out the glass and it fits perfect in the back of the hood serving as a push on ring. Also the ring gives me threads to put a filter in the front of the hood.

I’m overall impressed with the camera and hoping to get an II, or III soon.

-Tom

Hi Tom,

The Konica I is a pleasure to use due to its simple design and body design, as you have mentioned above. The camera fits in the palm of a hand. Good luck in finding clean copies at good prices for the II and III.

 

[KoNickon]

Great story about Jack's father's camera -- and is that his name embossed on the case? Truly a priceless camera.

I really like that S-curve metal styling on the front of the II.

 

[raid]

Great story about Jack's father's camera -- and is that his name embossed on the case? Truly a priceless camera.

I really like that S-curve metal styling on the front of the II.

This is what makes the II have a special look.
The II is also a great camera.

 

[foto_fool]

My III is now away in Idaho at the Dean Williams spa for vintage cameras. The man is a true joy to deal with. I can't wait to get it back and shoot some film.

Just saw this really nice III on eBay - I think the guy is high asking this much. Mine - also near-mint, without the paperwork but with a rare orange screw-in filter, and admittedly needing shutter repair - was only $220. But after handling the III and seeing Raid's pictures I might pay this if everything is working. (All the usual disclaimers... no relation to seller, etc.)

BTW I have the ERC that came with mine. I hardly ever use cases and don't care if I "break up the set", so if anyone wants it it is free to a good home (pm me - you pay shipping).

Cheers! - John

EDIT: Raid - I have sent a pm back. Case is spoken for.

 

[raid]

I have sent you a pm, John.

I may have to test my Konica III and IIIM a little bit before sending them off to a "spa".

 

[foto_fool]

Dean Williams (deansphotographica.com) sent back my Konica III after his repair of the shutter and lens assembly, and various other small fixes.

Thank you, Dean!

- John

 

[foto_fool]

I shot a quick test roll through my repaired Konica III. I'm not judging on sharpness (Fujicolor 200, local drug store 1-hour processing with miserable 1.2MB scans) but just to make sure the shutter works, speeds are on and lens is focused. Looks OK to me:

@ f2.0

@ f4.0

I have a roll of APX 400 in the camera now.

- John

 

[raid]

John,
Your camera looks great and the posted photos look fine to me. This is the Konica Look. It is kinda distinct.

 

[foto_fool]

The lens paints color with a vintage look. The closest thing I have in the rest of my kit is a Summar - the Hexanon is sharper and seems to render a featureless - in a good way - boke.

When I bought the Konica it arrived with the screw-in A6 filter you can maybe make out in the photo above. This lens might benefit from a little more contrast for B/W? We shall see.

- John

 

[raid]

John,

I will try next to get a new Selenium cell installed in my IIIM.

 

[cookies73]

Konica IIIM

Konica IIIM

I have thoroughly enjoy reading you posts on Konica RFs. So much so in fact I have just bought one from Japan. Did you ever manage to replace or repair the light meter in yours?
Thanks again for your posts.
Best wishes, Scott