Konica Auto S2

Nesster · Expire: 2014-02-20

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! Evil or Very Mad

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 Smile

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

fish4570 · Expire: 2012-03-21

Looks like you got a good 'un, Jussi.

Katastrofo · Expire: 2013-11-19

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

Nesster · Expire: 2014-02-20

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

56860011 PULL by Nesster, on Flickr

djmike · Joined: 01 Apr 2009 Posts: 930 Location: Taiwan

all great!

Attila · Expire: 2025-11-18

Katastrofo · Expire: 2013-11-19

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

Excalibur · Expire: 2014-04-21

kuuan · Expire: 2014-12-26

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

even love it's case Wink

Nesster · Expire: 2014-02-20

There ya go, isn't it a nice camera... does not get nearly the fame it deserves.

Attila · Expire: 2025-11-18

Congrats Andreas! I look forward your shoots!

kuuan · Expire: 2014-12-26

Attila · Expire: 2025-11-18

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.

kuuan · Expire: 2014-12-26

Attila · Expire: 2025-11-18

Nesster · Expire: 2014-02-20

kuuan · Expire: 2014-12-26

estudleon · Joined: 15 May 2008 Posts: 3754 Location: Argentina

Hi Kuuan.

It's should seems an obvious thing, but have you turned the black cylinder towards both sides? Sticky shade?

I guess that that cylinder can be the shade.

Did anybody try the 1,6 version?

kuuan · Expire: 2014-12-26

Hi Rino,

no, I am sure the hood simply is not there.
if you look at the cameras from the top, at the lens barrels of Jussi's and my camera, at the front black part, you will notice that on Jussi's the diameter of the black, front part is bigger than the diameter of the 'lower' silver part of the barrel. On my camera the diameter of the front, black part of the lens barrel is smaller than the diameter of the silver part. The added lens hood makes the diameter of the front, black part on Jussi's camera bigger.
On mine it simply isn't there.. It came with a well fitting lens cap with a 'Konica' lettering in exactly the same style as on the camera itself, a lens cap that very much looks like it must be the original one. Therefore I believe, that in case the cap on Jussi's camera fits around the lens hood and not on the lens barrel itself, as on mine, my camera originally came without a built in hood.

jazzwave · Joined: 15 Dec 2011 Posts: 5

I love this camera, Hexanon lens make this RF bettter.

Still looking Konica Auto S3 (black).. Very Happy

walter g · Joined: 20 Feb 2010 Posts: 2463 Location: NC, USA

Big Dawg · Joined: 28 Jan 2009 Posts: 2530 Location: Thach Alabama

I have the older version...the Konica S. It has the selenium meter rather than the Cds. Seeing these I must get out and shoot more with it.

barnaby · Joined: 21 Mar 2010 Posts: 59 Location: Hampshire UK

That's nice Big Dawg and in good condition.

Here's mine, that came to me as non-working and very tatty. I spent a lot of time fixing her up and I am very pleased with her now. Its one of the most prized cameras I own now. I might not of done all this work if it hadn't come with the mint condition Sun attachments though.

Work done:

1) Rewire from battery compartment - to cds light cell and the + side from battery to meter.

2) Rangefinder mirror had become detached so needed re-fixing then recalibrated.

3) Aperture blades stuck and had to be freed.

4) New lightseals

5) New black goat skin body covers.

6) Completely cleaning inside and out as I went.

Attila · Expire: 2025-11-18

Hey , congrats for your restoration! Great product shoot ! I look forward your results in Galleries!

dragom · Expire: 2013-12-24

You guys will be responsible for making me spend more money... Smile