Konica S3 Trivia

R

ruben

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A sample of the Konica Auto S3 manual is available at the following website:

http://www.thecamerasite.net/02_Rangefinders/Pages/konicauto.htm

Accordingly, at page 31 it is written that if you set the speed at 1/125 and the distance at 5 meters "you will be able to take sharp snapshots without focusing the lens whenever you want to take a picture..."

What ?! :bang:

Since to my best understanding either DOP and Hyperfocal distances are the result of lens focal length, aperture and distance setting - nothing to do with speeds I went to investigate the case at the www.dofmaster.com.

Since the Konica Auto S3 has a max aperture of 1.8 and a minimal distance of 0.9m, I looked at the dofmaster at what dustance an f 1.8 stop will produce an hyperfocal distance starting at 0.9m.

Our Dofmaster: None.

Now I could start detailing several other speculations about different interpretations either of the manual or the dofmaster - but I don't get the clue about what possible camera internal function could deliver what the manual promises.

Your opinon ?

Cheers,
Ruben
 
At bright daylight at 1/125th with most films KAS3 will select reasonably small apertures to take reasonably sharp snapshots. That's it. Especially considering part of day when most snapshots are taken, should assumption could work.
 
Hi Ruben,

With the Sunny 16 rule,and in sunshine [like in Florida right now], with 1/125 you get f 16. There, images will be in focus as described in the manual ofthe S3.
 
At bright daylight at 1/125th with most films KAS3 will select reasonably small apertures to take reasonably sharp snapshots. That's it. Especially considering part of day when most snapshots are taken, should assumption could work.


Hi Ruben,

With the Sunny 16 rule,and in sunshine [like in Florida right now], with 1/125 you get f 16. There, images will be in focus as described in the manual ofthe S3.


Ok, we are not going to be petty minded. Nevertheless, following the Dofmaster, at the combination of f/16 and 5 meters, the depht of field near limit will be located at 1.89m, which is twice the near limit of the distance scale, and a significative limitation for everyday general photography, within the close subjects, besides the "sunny bathed only" one.

:bang:


Cheers,
Ruben
 
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I have the hitch and hope this thread will reappear from time to time like some other lucky ones. So let me sharpen the edges.

With an ISO 100 film (not alluded by the manual) you will have for a sun bathed subject an exposure of f 16 and 1/125. Camera set at 5m and your sharpness will start at 1,9m. Fine.

With ISO 100 film and 1/125 and 5m, shooting a light open shade (f 5.6) your sharpness will start from 3.16m and extend only to 12m only. Since the dials of the 38mm Konica Auto S3 are fairly gross, chances are that if by error. when you set the distance to 5m, you set it instead to 8.5m - then your sharpness will start at 4.2m and extend to infinity.

With ISO 200 film and 1/125 you may be overexposing your sunbathed image unless you raise your shutter speed. From here onwards (higher ISO) the statement of the manual becomes more and more, ..... unclear.

Cheers,
Ruben
 
Thanks for the details, Ruben. I just pickup the S3 once in a while,and these tips may help me next time I do so.
 
Thanks for the link to that Owner's Manual PDF, Ruben!

From my experience, that "pan-focus" setting pretty much works for general, off-the-cuff snaps. If you want to get a bit more fancy with hyperfocal stuff, you'll want to tweak things a bit (no direct control over aperture, of course, but that can generally be dealt with).


- Barrett
 
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Thanks for the details, Ruben. I just pickup the S3 once in a while,and these tips may help me next time I do so.


Nope Raid, but thanks you any way. I am not into the tips giving mind but setting some points for further elaboration by other folks, with the help of the Dofmaster or otherwise. I happen to think and rething this calculations from time to time with other purposes tough, and there is a lot of work anyone can do and bring here.

And as far as I am concerned, the Konica manual assertion remains a mistery, not a weak point for blemishing.

Cheers,
Ruben
 
S3 CLA + small repair

S3 CLA + small repair

Do you know anyone who can do a little job on S3?

I bought very nice one for a few euros sometime ago, but vertical alignment is out and someone did a poor job on battery (tried to weld in shottky diode to bring down 1.5V from modern battery to required 1.35V).


Thanks, Peter.
 
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