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Konica AUTO S3 Rangefinder Film Camera Body Only
Price:
$274.99
+ US $8.90 shipping
Returns:
Condition:
It works good. No other accessories included.
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The Konica Auto S3 compact 35mm coupled-rangefinder camera features a tack-sharp 38mm f1.8 lens, a quiet leaf-shutter, shutter-priority automatic exposure and an innovative Guide Number (GN) automatic flash system balancing ambient light. In my view the Konica Auto S3 is the standout compact rangefinder of the 1970’s: small, light and capable. The Auto S3 provides amazingly high performance from a 6-Element, 4-Group lens acclaimed by Modern Photography as, "one of the best semi-wide angle optics of its speed we have ever tested". The Auto S3 epitomized Konica’s advertising claim from the ‘50’s that proudly proclaimed “…the lens alone is worth the price”. Introduced in 1973, the Auto S3 was finished in a sleek black anodized aluminum chassis coupled with classic, clean styling that made it distinctive among compact RF peers. It features a sophisticated daylight Synchro/Flash system (the most advanced ever fitted in a compact RF), to perfectly balance flash and ambient lighting. The capabilities of the Auto S3’s unique daylight Synchro/Flash System could also be exploited to provide metered manual control. The Auto S3 was introduced as Konica celebrated the 100th anniversary of its founding as Konishiya Rokubeiten in 1873 by Rokusaburo Sugiura IV. Sadly Konica withdrew from camera and photo finishing businesses in 2006 and divested its SLR camera business to Sony. An oft repeated bit of street lore holds that the similar Konica Auto S3, Minolta Hi-Matic 7sII, Vivitar 35ES, Revue 400 SE and Prinz 35 ER cameras originated from common Cosina-built origins. While that might be true of the Vivitar, Revue, and Prinz that were all marketing companies who outsourced their cameras, Konica built their own cameras and optics. What makes more sense is that Cosina copied the Auto S3 just as it had Konica's earlier C35 and then sold the copy to camera marketing companies. The other cameras only came to market in 1977 and 1978 while the Auto S3 was going out of production in 1977. Copying is the sincerest form of flattery and true to form the Jiangxi Optical Instrument Factory in China introduced its Phenix JG301 in 1981; a blatant copy of the Auto S3 down to minute detail, (and of course made from substandard materials). When you make copies, you copy from the best. The Auto S3 is an outstanding compact rangefinder that is essential to the rangefinder experience. If you only have one compact RF to own, this is the one!Read full review
I have several compact film cameras of this kind, such as Minolta 7SII, Olympus 35RD, Yashica Electral CCN, etc... Before owning Konica S3, I don't know why this camera alway being high regarded and high price in eBay when comparing it's configurations with other members of the same league. After taking two rolls of film with this camera, I like it very much. The lens of Konica S3 is special, it creates rich color and high clarity images. Another amazing thing is the Close-up Filter for Konica S3, it can use on my Minolta 7SII and Olympus 35RD with accurate focusing and great results - very sharp and more vivid color of the pictures is obtained by using the close-up filter. The Filter is a gem.
Quite possibly the best rangefinder camera of its era, I would compare it in greatness to the Canonet QL17 GIII. Although the Canonet is fully manual, the Konica Auto S3 is slightly smaller in size & weight. Beautiful images from this lens. The flash sync system is one of the most interesting I've seen, and yields ideal exposures. If only it had a true manual aperture mode (the only downside). If you're a Rollei 35 type of person, add one of these to your arsenal and you will not regret it. Very rare, so it has great resale value.
I love how this Konica was so compact. The shutter speed priority was awesome! It was actually easy to use. It worked for a month and a half, but the light meter died a week ago. I used it rigorously. I used up 7 rolls of film with this Konica. Thanks to this camera, I figured out that I'm not a rangefinder type of guy. Still, I enjoyed using it.
Issues as described are minor if you run a whole roll. Handling and quality are plusses with this lens. Considered the Poor Man's leica, it handles like a CL collaboration with Leica and minolta at a fraction of the cost. If you use a normal lens most of the time, this camera will deliver without draining your pocketbook.
Verified purchase: Yes
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