Konica C35 MF--rangefinder or not?

[Farace]

This is a sort of mental exercise; I'm curious about where one draws the line between what is a rangefinder and what isn't. The Konica C35 MF is a motorized film advance, autofocus, built-in pop-up flash camera. What the photographer looks through is strictly a viewfinder, but there are rangefinder windows on the front of the camera, and an arrangement of mirrors inside, apparently used by the autofocus mechanism. So while the operator isn't seeing a split image, the camera is still using a rangefinder set-up to focus the camera. It comes from the C35 series, most of which I believe there is no doubt about being rangefinders. (It's also loud, with the motor advance and the motorized focus and stopping down making quite a racket, unlike most rangefinders.) The only operator adjustment is for ASA; the shutter speed and aperture are controlled by the camera.

It almost seems to be a hybrid between a rangefinder and a point-and-shoot. But what's your opinion? Is a camera that has a rangefinder mechanism, the image from which is unseen by the operator, still a rangefinder?

(FWIW, the only reason I bought this camera is because I wanted something cheap, that I wouldn't worry about getting damaged or stolen, to keep in my car. I got it for ninety-nine cents on eBay (plus $6.50 s&h). As soon as I replace the light seals, I'll run a roll through it.)

[eric]

I used to have that camera. It was awesome. BTW, every Konica has a little "notch" inside the film area. Much like the Hasselblad V V notches. You'll see it when you open the back and look where the film emulsion is touching the 35mm area. I think the C35 has it on the lower right.

Make sure you put new seals on it when you get it.

[amateriat]

There have been a lot of cameras that Konica made under the C35 moniker: many were true rangefinder cameras, some were scale-focus models (I have a cute, red Konica POP camera that fits that description), and, later on, the autofocus models (Konica, BTW, was first to market with an autofocus camera of any description).

Properly speaking, IMO, a non-SLR camera whose focusing system you control manually can safely be referred to as a conventional rangefinder. Not that you won't get an argument or two on this matter.


- Barrett

[Farace]

Originally Posted by amateriat

Not that you won't get an argument or two on this matter.

That's sort of what I was expecting; not an argument per se, but some difference of opinion. It reminds me of the old exercise that starts out something like, "If you cut off your hand, would you still be you?" and continues excising body parts until you reach a point where you can say you're not you anymore. It made me wonder at what point is it no longer a rangefinder.

I've read, too, that Konica was the first to market with a camera with a built-in motorized feed. Usually I read that in a discussion about the FT-1 Motor SLR, but I've also been told that the C35 MF actually predated it. Seems Konica was first with a lot of things but doesn't quite get the respect accorded other brands. (Which is okay with me, it makes them cheaper, too. )

Eric, I got some Interslice light seal materials in yesterday, so that will be done shortly. The camera was apparently owned by a heavy smoker, and I've been scrubbing the nicotine off of it.

[Dr. Strangelove]

Originally Posted by Farace

It almost seems to be a hybrid between a rangefinder and a point-and-shoot. But what's your opinion? Is a camera that has a rangefinder mechanism, the image from which is unseen by the operator, still a rangefinder?

It is a passive optical autofocus P&S camera. Most 1980s AF P&S cameras were also 'rangefinders' in the sense that they actually triangulate the range with an active infrared beam autofocus system. After 'finding the range' the electronics then focus the lens accordingly. Many even show the focus distance in the viewfinder.

However, modern digital P&S cameras are not 'rangefinders' in any sense. They use a contrast autofocus system where the focus is adjusted in a see-saw manner until the picture is in focus. That is also the reason why autofocusing with most digital P&S cameras is actually slower than with the 'old' active infrared system. In fact many people focus faster manually with a rangefinder than an average P&S digicam is able to focus. The good thing about the contrast AF system is that it works even with very long focal lengths, which is not possible with active IR AF or classic manual rangefinders.