Konica IIIa

[underlord]

I recently picked up a very nice Konica IIIa with Hexanon 48mmF2. Not only was I pleased with the price but the camera turned out better than the description! I nearly always factor in a trip to my local camera repair shop when perusing film cameras on the big auction site - no need on this occasion. For your enjoyment I include a shot of this fine looking camera together with my Doomo light meter. They are indeed a fine pairing!

Konica IIIa and Doomo Light Meter by Philip McAllister, on Flickr

 

[das]

These cameras are real and affordable gems for folks who like the 50mm focal length. Konica was absolutely at the top of its game during this era. That lens is sharp as heck with great rendering.

 

[raid]

Dante Stella has a good write-up on Konica RF cameras. I have the I, II and III. The lens is very sharp in each model.

https://www.dantestella.com/technical/koni3.html

 

[Dante_Stella]

Congratulations! It's a great camera.

 

[boojum]

IIRC their ad included " . . . the lens alone is worth the price . . . " or words similar.

 

[Hibbs]

Yeah!...I recently got one and am about to remove the EV system so I can adjust shutter and aperture independently.

davidde1000 is correct...Konica was top shelf, best of breed.

~ Hibbs

 

[underlord]

Thanks for the input guys. Happily, along with all the normal functions which work well, the EV lock had been disabled by a previous owner.

 

[hilltime]

I also have the Konica I, II, III, IIIA (w/50mm/1.8), and the IIIM w/ working meter. (my Fav) It is one of the most unique looking fixed lens RF cameras out there with the meter in position.
Evidently, many did not like the metered version as it was thought to be harder to handle and the vast majority I have ever seen, are non-working. It is a very strange electrical contact system which was employed, and like a lot of analog cameras, had it's limitations, verses later developed technology.

 

[raid]

My IIiM has a non working meter. Excellent lens.

 

[das]

The very similar (if not the same) 1950s M39 Konica 50mm f/1.9 Hexanon is a very excellent lens. A little rare, and a little pricey, but can give you the quality of the III on your Leica!

 

[DiafineDude]

Fab camera & lens. Some out of the box thinking in the design - brilliant. And as others have noted, a superb lens with easily obtained filters and the dedicated Konihood. Big & bright viewfinder.
Did I mention beautiful, too?

 

[The_Film_Fellow]

Hi, congrats on your purchase! I have the 50mm 1.8 version and I cannot rave enough about it. It’s an amazingly sharp lens with in my humble opinion great bokeh.
It’s my daily driver. Especially for anything street. Just gave mine a full CLA.
These cameras are relatively easy to work on and there is something really rewarding about shooting with an all-mechanical master piece.

 

[largedrink]

Got my first films back from my IIIA recently, superb camera with an amazing viewfinder. Mine is with the 48mm lens. It's heavy!

Calm morning on the waterfront by Hugh B

Wellington, N.Z.
Konica IIIA, Hexanon 48mm f2 lens @ f11
Ilford FP4 125

 

[nikon_sam]

^^^^That is a great shot...high contrast with plenty of detail...and sharp...

 

[largedrink]

Here's another example, this time in low light at f5.6.

At the bus stop by Hugh B

Konica IIIA, Hexanon 48mm f2 lens, 1/100 f5.6
Ilford FP4 125

 

[Freakscene]

Got my first films back from my IIIA recently, superb camera with an amazing viewfinder. Mine is with the 48mm lens. It's heavy!

Calm morning on the waterfront by Hugh B

Wellington, N.Z.
Konica IIIA, Hexanon 48mm f2 lens @ f11
Ilford FP4 125

“Calm” and “Wellington“, not a common co-occurrence! Great photo.

 

[largedrink]

“Calm” and “Wellington“, not a common co-occurrence! Great photo.

Haha yes you're so right, gotta make the most of those days...

 

[p.giannakis]

Keep posting, they are great.
How are you finding the ergonomics?

 

[largedrink]

Keep posting, they are great.
How are you finding the ergonomics?

Thanks Pan! The IIIA is great but could have been even better. I'm not a huge fan of the double stroke winder around the lens and find the aperture dial quite fiddly. Also it's a heavy camera, which is not a bad thing when shooting but noticeable when carrying.

Its main advantages are the fantastic viewfinder with sophisticated framelines (with continuous field size correction), quiet operation and beautiful finish. Perhaps another advantage is the fixed lens, as I don't fret about carrying or using extra lenses for a change.

My father admired the viewfinder when he compared it to the Contax IIA I also showed him on the weekend.

 

[largedrink]

Seats (Anne Frank installation) by Hugh B

Wellington, N.Z.
Konica IIIA, Hexanon 48mm f2 lens
Ilford FP4 125