Konica Auto S2

[Nesster]

This one was sitting all alone, with nobody bidding, on a recent evening. When it came I was amazed at the good shape everything seemed to be in... until I tried the film advance and shutter - neither moved or did anything at all! I created bad ebay karma by thinking bad thoughts about the seller, I mean, "don't know if it works" to me would include simple stuff like does the film advance move?

Anyway, the following morning I found out the camera locks up in the Auto position of the aperture dial - if there is not electricity. So, a quick flip of the ring and I'm in business. Later I buy the right battery - though checking vs. a Gossen, I'm setting the camera at ASA 100 for ASA 400 film. (Does saying ASA date me?) It looks like it needs new foam, but there aren't any light leaks as I use it with the very high quality never ready case bottom. I promptly tried to correct my ebay karma by admitting to the seller I'd had bad thoughts, but now was extremely happy (probably happier than they, as the camera went for minimum bid)



So how's it compare with... say a C35 or an Electro GSN? Glad you asked



Obviously larger than the C35, but nearly identical in size to the Yashica





My initial impression is that the two are very competitive when it comes to operation - they both have smooth ratcheting frame advances, though the Konica's throw is shorter... both have excellent view finders and focus patches, parallax correction, both feel good in hand. The S2, in addition to parallax, corrects for field size - the frame in the vf actually expands and contracts as you focus in and out. The GSN only moves the frame lines for parallax, not adjusting for field size.

However: the S2 has a manual mode and the GSN does not. The GSN is aperture priority (which I'm more used to) while the S2 has shutter priority. The S2 shows metered aperture in the view finder - GSN has no indicators in the vf. The S2 locks up in auto mode if either under or over exposure is going to happen, or the battery is dead or missing. GSN as far as I can recall doesn't lock up, but without battery you have 1/500 only.

The metering on both is good - though both have battery 'problems' to solve these days. Though the S2 cell is in the lens, thus it reads through whatever filter you throw on, while with the GSN you have to adjust ASA to account for filter factors.

The Yash has a shutter lock; the same effect is to be had with the Konica by putting the camera in auto and a lens cap on the lens. Oh, the Konica has a built in hood. In general, and especially with the hood extended, I can see the lens more in the Konica finder than with the Yashica. The GSN has a hot shoe, the S2 does not. (The GSN is excellent for flash shooting with a thyristor flash, perhaps the S2 might be as well) For what it's worth, the leather case for the Konica is miles, miles classier than the faux textured cheap feeling one for the Yashica.

So, sample pix? First roll, Ferrania 400. (Have a roll of Neopan 400 ready to develop today)


duo, dynamic, early morning by Nesster, on Flickr



the photographer as ventilation fan by Nesster, on Flickr


OK performance vs. the sun


56860018 by Nesster, on Flickr



shade by Nesster, on Flickr

(CVS scans, with some levels done) (Camera shots with a SMC Takumar 35mm f/3.5 on a K100D)

Then, there's a few vintage ads:

1965

Konica Auto-S2 1965 by Nesster, on Flickr

1966

Konica auto S-2 1966 by Nesster, on Flickr

1973

1973 - Konica Auto-S2 rangefinder by Nesster, on Flickr
_________________
-Jussi
Camera photos

Print Photographica

[fish4570]

Looks like you got a good 'un, Jussi.
_________________
Paul
I chase Light

http://blackcreekjournal.blogspot.com/

[Katastrofo]

Like these shots, are these store scans? Agree, ya got a shooter!

[Nesster]

Thanks, I'm really positively surprised with this camera. CVS scans.


56860011 PULL by Nesster, on Flickr
_________________
-Jussi
Camera photos

Print Photographica

[djmike]

all great!
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DSLR: Canon 400D
SLR: Nikon FM2 + Canon A-1 + Canon AE1-P + Praktica MTL-5B + Pentax Spotmatic F + Fujica ST801 + Voigtlander Bassematic + Voigtlander Vito + Rollei 35S + Rolleiflex SL35 ME + Canon QL17 GIII + Olympus Pen EE-3
Lenses
M42: CZJ Flektogon 35/2.4 + CZJ Flektogon Zebra 35/2.8 + CZJ Pancolar 50/1.8 + CZJ Sonnar 135/3.5 + CZJ Tessar 50/2.8 Chrome + Pentacon 135/2.8 + Pentacon 50/1.8 + SMC Takumar 50/1.4 + SMC Takumar 55/2 + SMC Takumar 135/3.5 + Fujinon 55/1.8 + Jupiter-9 85/2 + Jupiter-37A 135/3.5 + Helios 44-6 58/2
Nikor: Nikkor 50/1.4 + Nikkor 28/3.5 + Nikkor 35-105 Zoom + 36-72 Series E Zoom
Canon: Canon FD + 28/2.8 + 50/1.8 + Canon 35-105 Macro Zoom
Other: Rollei Planar HFT 50/1.8

[Attila]

[Katastrofo]

You Konica guys are pissing me off! Oh, I guess I'm a Konica guy, too.

[Excalibur]

[kuuan]

it's such a beauty, but only now that I have one in my hand I see just how beautiful it really is







even love it's case





_________________
for sale: preset Takumars: f2/58mm ( rare Sonnar ), f3.5/135mm, f3.5/200mm - Auto Takumars: f3.5/35mm, f2/55mm - Super Takumar: f3.5/135mm - S-M-C Takumar f3.5/28mm - Tamron Adaptall: f2.5/28mm - Jupiter-9 f2/85mm, Auto Yashinon f2/5cm, Kiron f2.8/28mm ( most lenses only can be sent October 2013 from Austria, some earlier from around Asia )
photos of and by manual lenses on Ricoh GXR M, Sony NEX5N, Pentax K-x and*istDs: http://www.flickr.com/photos/kuuan/collections/72157604973031858/

[Nesster]

There ya go, isn't it a nice camera... does not get nearly the fame it deserves.
_________________
-Jussi
Camera photos

Print Photographica

[Attila]

Congrats Andreas! I look forward your shoots!
_________________
Attila - admin --- BUY FRESH FOMAPAN TO HELP KEEP THE FACTORY ALIVE ---
Foma Campaign topic - FOMAPAN on forum - Webshop EU

Items on sale on Ebay

35mm: Konica A4, Konica IIIA, Konica FC-1
MF: Konica Pearl I,II,III 6x4,5 Konica Semi Pearl
Film: Foma,Kodak, Fuji DIY development C41, FOMA LQR
Scan: Epson V500, scanassist (http://www.scanassist.org)
Shutter tester: LCD tester from member vfmoto
Digital: Panasonic G1, Sony Nex-3, Samsung NX100
Lenses: Konica Hexanons,Carl Zeiss,Carl Zeiss Jena,Meyer-Optik,Minolta MD,Yashica ML,Nikon,Olympus OM
DIY E-6,C41 and B&W

[kuuan]

[Attila]

Bring one of them to your travels and shoot B&W film too or slides sometimes. Great fun and in selected cases still better than digital in my opinion.
_________________
Attila - admin --- BUY FRESH FOMAPAN TO HELP KEEP THE FACTORY ALIVE ---
Foma Campaign topic - FOMAPAN on forum - Webshop EU

Items on sale on Ebay

35mm: Konica A4, Konica IIIA, Konica FC-1
MF: Konica Pearl I,II,III 6x4,5 Konica Semi Pearl
Film: Foma,Kodak, Fuji DIY development C41, FOMA LQR
Scan: Epson V500, scanassist (http://www.scanassist.org)
Shutter tester: LCD tester from member vfmoto
Digital: Panasonic G1, Sony Nex-3, Samsung NX100
Lenses: Konica Hexanons,Carl Zeiss,Carl Zeiss Jena,Meyer-Optik,Minolta MD,Yashica ML,Nikon,Olympus OM
DIY E-6,C41 and B&W

[kuuan]

[Attila]