View Full Version : Konica I,II, III, and IIIM: Mini Review
Like many people here, I have used the Konica Auto S2, which is widely written about and which deservedly is labeled as a bargain quality camera. I was so impressed with the S2 and the S that I looked for additonal Konica RF cameras.
One day, I bought a Konica, which is the first of the Konica RF series of cameras. It is also referred to as Konica I. There are several websites on these older Konica RF cameras, so I won't waste your time on technical issues here. The Konica I has a sharp lens Hexar 50mm/3.5 lens. It seems that it was also sold with a 50mm/2.8 Hexanon lens. The 50mm is collapsible. The shutter speeds range from B,1, to 500.
One quirk with this model is the film advance. You must push a small button located closeto the VF each time you want to advance the film a frame by rotating a knob.
Quality of craftmanship is first class. This is a small, but heavy camera made out of metal. It gives me fully manual control of exposure. The VF is small,but focusing is very easy. It has a cable release socket and a place for connecting a flash. You cock the shutter at the lens and then you push a lever at the lens for shutter release.
As lens hood, the Konihood fits this lens.
The selling prices for these type Konica cameras can be rather inflated (over $200), with occasional good deals at about $50-$75.
Here are a few photos of the camera:
http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t261/raidamin/P1000895.jpg
http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t261/raidamin/P1000898.jpg
http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t261/raidamin/P1000899.jpg
http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t261/raidamin/P1000902.jpg
http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t261/raidamin/P1000903.jpg
I will later on add information on the Konica II.
The Konica II is an especially good looking camera. I really like the look and the feel of it. My camera sports a 50mm/2.8 Hexanon lens. Shutter speeds are still B, 1, ..., 500, as in the Konica. Film advance seems to be smoother, without the need to push a button before advancing a frame. Still, shutter cocking and release levers are still located at the lens.
This camera is fully manual and it is built very well. The VF is better than in the Konica (I). There is a selector for I and T which I still need to figure out.
Here are some photos of the Konica II:
http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t261/raidamin/P1000910.jpg
http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t261/raidamin/P1000911.jpg
http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t261/raidamin/P1000909.jpg
The Konica III represents a jump upward in overall quality of the camera.
I will write about it tomorrow.
BillBingham2
09-05-2007, 19:22
Please keep going, great shots and information!
Konica did some great stuff over the years.
Thanks.
B2 (;->
The III is a heftier camera with a sharp Hexanon 48mm/2 lens. It may have been available also with a Hexanon 50mm/1.8. The lens is as good as a Summicron from the earlier vintage. The f-stops go to 22. Shutter speeds still go from 1 to 500 as with earlier models.
The viewfinder is bigger than in the II. The other major change is a double stroke push-down lever to advance the film and cock the shutter. It really is cool and it works well. After some use I begin to get used to it and find it very practical for film advance. Shutter release is now with a button on top of the camera, like in most cameras.
A good buying price is about $100. Do not confuse the III with the IIIA or IIIM. The latter models are very different and they cost about $200 these days on ebay. Dealers sell them for close to $300.
http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t261/raidamin/P1000915.jpg
http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t261/raidamin/P1000913.jpg
The ultimate RF camera by Konica were the IIIA and IIIM,where the M differs from the A by having a Selenium type meter. The IIIA looks sleeker, similar to a Contax IIa looking better to my eyes than a IIIa.
The main difference from earlier Konica RF cameras is a very bright 100% viewfinder that gives Leica M VF a challenge. The VF in my IIIM is brighter than the VF in my very clean M3 or M6 cameras.
Dante Stella has a good write-up on the IIIA and IIIM cameras.
He mentions that the EBL (effective base length) for the RF is 50. This is slightly better than the EBL of the Minolta CLE. This is sufficient for the fixed lens on the Konica.
http://www.dantestella.com/technical/koni3.html
http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t261/raidamin/P1000918.jpg
http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t261/raidamin/P1000919.jpg
http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t261/raidamin/P1000920.jpg
http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t261/raidamin/P1000923.jpg
http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t261/raidamin/P1000922.jpg
http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t261/raidamin/P1000924.jpg
I bought my four cameras quickly back to back,and I still have to evaluate the lens of the I and the IIIM. I used the I with one roll, but the roll got damaged under mysterious circumstances in the driveway. I found a totally smashed roll with label "Konica I" beside a car. The roll could not tolerate being run over by a Camry.
I will post some results from the II and the III. Hopefully, my mini review is useful to some people here who have not seen much info being given on these fine (and affordable) RF cameras by Konica.
foto_fool
09-06-2007, 05:17
Raid: thanks for the great pics and information. I have a III and like the look and feel very much. I use a CV VCII meter with my various meterless cameras, but it will not mount securely to the accessory shoe on the III - too loose - so I carry it in my pocket or use "sunny 16".
Like the new Hexanon lenses, the older lenses on these cameras are real jewels.
- John
Bill and John:
A useful addition here would be information on the available accessories. When I get home, I will take pics of the lens hoods.
The IIIM has a special feature that allows it to be switched to a half-frame camera by using an insert. The insert is hard to find, and it may cost about $100-$150.
I recently bought an Auto-Up close-up lens that fits the II and the III. This is also a useful accessory.
Here is a link for a free instruction manual for the III:
http://butkus.org/chinon/konica/konica_iii/konica_iii.htm
Useful links on classical cameras, including info on Konica I and II:
http://www.mediajoy.com/en/cla_came/finder.html
http://www.camerapedia.org/wiki/Konica_%28I%29%2C_II_and_III_series
Here are three images taken with the Konica II. I was maybe fortunate (or not) that the local lab messed up the developing of the EFKE 25 film to be so grainy and contrasty. I like the effect for a vintage look. I stopped using this lab afterwards.
I am sorry for the large images below, but I have resized them over and over to smaller sizes, but they still look gigantic here!
http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t261/raidamin/KonicaIIwithEfke252.jpg
http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t261/raidamin/KonicaIIwithEfke253.jpg
http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t261/raidamin/KonicaIIwithEfke251.jpg
The Konica III has a very sharp lens. The photo os the sunbathing two women is a small crop from the original.
Here are some photos taken with the Konica III:
http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t261/raidamin/KonicaIII4.jpg
http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t261/raidamin/KonicaIII3.jpg
http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t261/raidamin/KonicaIII2.jpg
http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t261/raidamin/KonicaIII1.jpg
How about adding your thoughts on Konica RF cameras, including the Konica Auto S, S2, and S3? This thread dies without your input.
ChrisPlatt
09-06-2007, 14:52
I love my Konica S2 and C35 cameras.
The IIIM looks awesome...
Chris
jmilkins
09-06-2007, 14:59
raid - thanks for posting your impressions - i have a soft spot, or maybe i should say sharp interest in hexanons, so it is great to see some samples across the range.
Ray and John,
Thanks. I really enjoy hunting down accessories after buying a vintage camera. I now prefer vintage, but inexpensive,lens hood. They have class.
I finally have lens hoods for all four models.
The original Konihood fits the I and the II. I may have paid $25-$30 (includes shipping) to Mark Hama for this lens hood. I also have a tiny lens hood by Walz that fits the Konica I but that may [or may not] vignette.
The III can be fit on the outside of the its lens with a 40.5mm lens hood by adding some tape to the rim to create a stable grip.
Today, I received the lens hood that fits the IIIM. I think, it is a 46mm lens hood.
Konica I:
http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t261/raidamin/P1010015.jpg
[
Konica II:
Konica III:
http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t261/raidamin/P1010012.jpg
Konica IIIM:
http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t261/raidamin/P1010017.jpg
I have here a few side by side images of the Konica III with the Yashica, the Auto S2 and the Leica M3.
http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t261/raidamin/P1010009.jpg
http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t261/raidamin/P1010010.jpg
http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t261/raidamin/P1010007.jpg
http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t261/raidamin/P1010002.jpg
It looks as if the Konica RF cameras are not widely used here.
I recommend taking a first and then second look at any of these cameras.
Get them while they are sold at relatively low prices.
loganvillejc
09-08-2007, 08:33
Raid,
I have a Konica II that I inherited from my father. This camera has an interesting (at least to me) history. Dad bought this in Japan during or right after the Korean War. He was stationed there flying combat missions in a B-29 over what is now North Korea. This was the camera that he used to take all of our family photos during the 50's and early 60's. Almost all of these pictures were shot on Kodachrome 25 without a meter no less. I know because I also have all the slides. This was also the first real camera I used as a kid and it kindled my life long love of photography. The camera was stuck in a closet and largely forgotten about after I got my first real camera, a Minotla SR-1s. I don't think the Konica was used at all after about 1969 until my father's death in 2000. When I got it, it apparently had been dropped by someone. Two of the screws that hold the shutter and lens unit to the focusing unit had sheared off. The fall also bent the winding shaft and the wind knob wouldn't turn without a lot of effort. After possessing it a few years I decided that such a nice camera needed to be used again so I packed it up and sent it to Greg Weber. The repairs cost more than the camera is worth but it was worth it to me. I also own a Konica Auto S-2 which takes great pictures but it is no where near the build quality of the Konica II.
loganvillejc
09-08-2007, 08:49
Here are a few more pictures of the Konica II.
Jack Cronin
murrayb53
09-08-2007, 09:28
A few years ago I owned a Konica I with a F3.5 Lens. It took some very nice contrasty shots. (You know Konica's old slogan, "The Lens Alone Is Worth The Price!!") I enjoyed it very much. While it came with a case it didn't have a lens hood. Maybe a year or so later while I was at a camera show I spotted one new in the box. It was marked at $10. The dealer took $7. Now the camera was complete.
Turns out I was discussing some of my RF's with a friend and when he heard I had this Konica he immediately started throwing out numbers ($$$) at me. He WANTED it !!
I sold it.
You might say I was an E E E D I O T .
It had to be the hood. :-)
Steve
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
09-08-2007, 18:01
loganvillejc: That's a great story about your Konica II.
loganvillejc
09-08-2007, 18:07
Thanks. I really appreciate your comment.
BillBingham2
09-08-2007, 19:15
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 (;->
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,
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
09-13-2007, 09:53
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.
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
09-15-2007, 08:47
My III is now away in Idaho at the Dean Williams (http://www.deansphotographica.com/) 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 (http://cgi.ebay.com/RARE-Vintage-35mm-Konica-III-Rangefinder-Near-Mint_W0QQitemZ180158781529QQihZ008QQcategoryZ30099 QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem) - 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.
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
09-29-2007, 08:19
Dean Williams (deansphotographica.com) sent back my Konica III after his repair of the shutter and lens assembly, and various other small fixes.
http://images28.fotki.com/v1032/photos/1/1126243/4871630/KonicaIII-vi.jpg
Thank you, Dean!
- John
foto_fool
09-29-2007, 08:33
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:
http://images29.fotki.com/v1036/photos/1/1126243/4871630/KIII2-vi.jpg
@ f2.0
http://images30.fotki.com/v38/photos/1/1126243/4871630/KIII1-vi.jpg
@ f4.0
I have a roll of APX 400 in the camera now.
- John
John,
Your camera looks great and the posted photos look fine to me. This is the Konica Look. It is kinda distinct.
foto_fool
09-30-2007, 15:33
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
John,
I will try next to get a new Selenium cell installed in my IIIM.
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