Talk to me about the Konica Off Road/Construction series...

[FredtheLlama]

Good morning/afternoon/evening,

I'm interested in the Konica construction series of cameras, specifically the 28mm "Wide" versions. It's extremely difficult to find any solid info about them online (that isn't in Japanese!) and I was wondering if you chaps could help me out.

What's the difference between the 28 series as they developed? I believe it started with the basic "28 Wide", then came the "28WB", "28HG" and "28HG Eco". I've no idea what order they released in though. I want the model with the 8 element 7 group lens.

Could anyone shed some light on this please? Apologies in advance for the boring question!

Regards

 

[Frontman]

There were two versions of the Wide 28, one version had the lens you mention. It is easy to identify if you can look at the rear element, it is quite large, much like lens in the Konica Hexar. The rear element on the other version is about half as big.

The construction cameras are a common site here in Japan, each day the workers take a small blackboard and write the name of the project, the day and date, and one worker stands in front of the project holding the blackboard while another takes a photo.

These cameras are quite common in Japan, but clean examples are a little scarce, most are quite beaten up. On the other hand, they are nearly indestructable, and it is hard to find one which doesn't work.

 

[btgc]

As far as I know there are several variations of lens used. Large one have got 8 elements and less protruding lens - 5 elements. I have several 8-element Offroads and yes, all of them work not like some other Konica compacts.

Eco should be variation shutting down itself after period of inactivity. Good for site workers and unacceptable for street photography.

 

[FredtheLlama]

Hi guys - sorry for the late response, I've been at a wedding all weekend!

Thanks for the swift reply. Unfortunately I won't be able to actually handle any of the cameras I find as they are all on international Evilbay. Is there a way to tell easily from pictures?

Here is a few pictures of two I've spotted;

Front of no.1

And back;

Top;

Front of no.2

And back;

Sorry for the poor quality - they are straight from the ad's.

Many thanks in advance