What's the word on Konica SLRs?

[PatrickT]

I have a Konica TC and 40/1.8 that I got used a while ago and haven't used much. I'd love to use the 40/1.8 more, but I don't much care for the TC...the shutter is weird sounding (and kinda loud).

So what's the story on the Konica SLR bodies? Which are the good ones, bad ones, and the ones in between?

I hear talk about how good the Konica lenses are...I'd love to have a great body to put them on!

 

[batterytypehah!]

You'll find a couple days' worth of reading here:
http://www.buhla.de/index.html
(Not all the pages are available in English, I believe, but a lot of them are)

Matt Denton (http://www.mattdentonphoto.com/cameras/index.html) covers some of them, too.

 

[oftheherd]

For many years, in the West, until about 15 years ago, the Konica cameras were just another inexpensive Japanese SLR, but not of pro quality; body or lenses. That wasn't so in the Far East. There, they were always known for their quality, especially the lenses.

 

[former member]

They were shutter-preferred automatics, and most used a trap-needle system and pressure on the release to make the mechanism work. The T3 and T4 were the best traditional cameras. I like the FT-1, integral Motor drive.

 

[cliffpov]

Some of the lenses have an impeccable reputation. I have a 50/1.7 which is very good. The Autoreflex T3 I use it on is a good camera under normal conditions. I tested it a month or so ago to see how it performed under extreme cold weather conditions. In short it didn't perform at minus 10 degrees faran??. (that word always looks wrong when I spell it) Otherwise I like it, and really don't shoot any camera at that temp in the real world.

 

[David Murphy]

I love them, but I stick to the earlier models that have a mechanical shutter. The amazing thing about these is that not only is the shutter mechanical, but they can be used in an automatic mode with shutter priority and it works well (with proper voltage batteries or conversion)! Because of the mechanical shutters (on early models) one can take or leave the auto exposure mode as one desires, and work just fine with depleted or no batteries. Mechanically the manual Autoreflex models are beautifully made cameras. All the lenses I've used are also superb. The best news though is that they are relatively inexpensive compared to most other system SLR's of the time (there are exceptions for certain uncommon lenses and bodies naturally). There are many interesting third party lenses too. Highly recommended!

 

[berlincontemporary]

Any Autoreflex from the T to the T3 is a good camera when properly serviced. Most of the T4s I have seen are falling apart today. The Hexanon lenses are just fine. I never understood why the system was so unpopular compared to bigger names. Maybe shutter speed priority in a (then) fully mechanical market where TTL metering was the hottes thing was too much for the masses? I dont know...

 

[batterytypehah!]

If you really want to get the size benefit of the 40/1.8, try a TC-X. Which is ugly and plastic and budget-featured and not even a proper Konica (Cosina built them, and if you ever used a Bessa L, T, or R, the shutter release on the TC-X will look very familiar...).

But, the TC-X is fully mechanical, small, light, and takes a common AAA battery for the meter. Did I mention it's also dirt cheap?

 

[PatrickT]

Just what I was looking for...thanks guys!

 

[David Murphy]

Any Autoreflex from the T to the T3 is a good camera when properly serviced. Most of the T4s I have seen are falling apart today. The Hexanon lenses are just fine. I never understood why the system was so unpopular compared to bigger names. Maybe shutter speed priority in a (then) fully mechanical market where TTL metering was the hottes thing was too much for the masses? I dont know...

I think it was fairly popular in its day. I think one important reason some film SLR systems are more accessible today (price-wise) is because the mounts were not propagated forward into the autofocus and then digital world. This is one reason that many Nikon, Pentax, and Leica (RF) mount lenses are still quite sought-after. One can use an Elmar made in 1933 on an M9 or a Nikon pre-AI lens from 1959 on many Nikon digital bodies.

 

[Roberto V.]

Another vote for the FT-1. My best friend has one (currently lacking battery cover though). It's very well made, and the VF is nice.

 

[ridinhome]

Funny you should post this, I just sent off my two T3s to Greg Weber for CLAs.

I like the Konica SLRs very much, and I've been a Canon shooter all my life. Aside from the outstanding Hexanon lenses which you can get dirt cheap, the T3s are very nice mechanical bodies to use if that's your thing. As others have mentioned, they have a nice heft and feel to them. But the nicest thing about the Konis is the sound of the Copal shutter. Some may find it loud, but it is a very pleasing sounds, far nicer than any of my Canons.

If you're looking for a Konica any of the Autoreflex A or T series should serve you fine. The F series are lighter and more automated. Beware that many Konicas may not be shootable out fo the box or cupboard or wherever they've been hiding because many have been ignored over the years. That said, ship them off to Greg Weber for a CLA and they'll be good as new, usable for another 30+ years.

Hard to beat Hexanon glass. The 40 1.8 is an outstanding lens, as is the 85 1.8. I hear tell that the 28 3.5 and 135 3.2 are very desirable as well. On the more expensive side look out for the 35 f2, 57 1.2 and the 21s.

Enjoy.

 

[David Murphy]

Funny you should post this, I just sent off my two T3s to Greg Weber for CLAs.

I like the Konica SLRs very much, and I've been a Canon shooter all my life. Aside from the outstanding Hexanon lenses which you can get dirt cheap, the T3s are very nice mechanical bodies to use if that's your thing. As others have mentioned, they have a nice heft and feel to them. But the nicest thing about the Konis is the sound of the Copal shutter. Some may find it loud, but it is a very pleasing sounds, far nicer than any of my Canons.

If you're looking for a Konica any of the Autoreflex A or T series should serve you fine. The F series are lighter and more automated. Beware that many Konicas may not be shootable out fo the box or cupboard or wherever they've been hiding because many have been ignored over the years. That said, ship them off to Greg Weber for a CLA and they'll be good as new, usable for another 30+ years.

Hard to beat Hexanon glass. The 40 1.8 is an outstanding lens, as is the 85 1.8. I hear tell that the 28 3.5 and 135 3.2 are very desirable as well. On the more expensive side look out for the 35 f2, 57 1.2 and the 21s.

Enjoy.

I've used the 28/3.5 and 50/1.4 and really, really like them. I have a 21mm F4 that I've not tried yet and a 50mm F1.8 that's sealed new in the box and I can't bring myself to use because of that!

 

[PatrickT]

Thanks for all the feedback...appreciate it!

 

[petronius]

I´m a big fan of the FS-1. The 40/1,8 and the 28/3,5 are amazing lenses, as well as the 135/3,2 that focuses down to 1m!

 

[Greyscale]

I also like the FS-1. It has the gentlest "mirror slap" of any SLR that I have ever used. You can't even call it a slap, more of a gentle kiss.

 

[PatrickT]

I also like the FS-1. It has the gentlest "mirror slap" of any SLR that I have ever used. You can't even call it a slap, more of a gentle kiss.

Interesting. So you'd say that it is a fairly quiet camera overall?

 

[Greyscale]

Interesting. So you'd say that it is a fairly quiet camera overall?

It's about as quiet as a motor-wind SLR camera can be, I suppose. But the motor wind sound it does make is classic.

But with that soft mirror slap, and electronic shutter release, it should be better than an all-mechanical body for hand-held shots using slower shutter speeds.

The camera has very nice ergonomics overall, plus it uses AA batteries, which is never a bad thing.

Look for one with a later serial number, according to buhla, the electronics are greatly improved over early series models.

 

[pesphoto]

It's about as quiet as a motor-wind SLR camera can be, I suppose. But the motor wind sound it does make is classic.

But with that soft mirror slap, and electronic shutter release, it should be better than an all-mechanical body for hand-held shots using slower shutter speeds.

The camera has very nice ergonomics overall, plus it uses AA batteries, which is never a bad thing.

Look for one with a later serial number, according to buhla, the electronics are greatly improved over early series models.

Well said...KEH usually has nice FS-1 bodies. Ive bought a couple there.

 

[former member]

The FS-1 is one of the few cameras that used Gallium Arsenide Photo-detectors. They are not sensitive to Infrared, unlike Silicon detectors. The Nikon FM (not FM2) and Pentax MX are among the few cameras that used them.