For those who, like myself, have fond memories of the golden age of 70s SLRs and lusted after iconic cameras such as the Nikon FM and Olympus OM-1, the world of rangefinder cameras might seem somewhat less familiar. While SLRs dominated the spotlight for many, rangefinders held their own charm and offered a unique photographic experience. My own journey into photography began in the mid-to-late 70s, a period when rangefinders were gradually being overtaken by the rise of point-and-shoot autofocus cameras. It was only much later, while exploring online resources and photography communities like Kosmo Foto, that I truly rediscovered the allure of classic rangefinders and felt the need to experience one firsthand. This exploration eventually led me to the Konica Auto S3, a camera that has proven to be a delightful addition to my collection.
My initial foray into Konica rangefinders started with a Konica C35, a budget-friendly find from Used Photo Pro. Impressed by its performance, as detailed in my review on 35MMC, I was intrigued to explore further within the Konica rangefinder family. When a Konica Auto S3 appeared on KEH, despite its higher price tag of $170 compared to the C35, I decided to take the plunge. This Auto Review delves into my experience with the Konica Auto S3, exploring its features, handling, and image quality.
To understand the Auto S3’s place in camera history, it’s important to consider its origins. Konica introduced the original C35 rangefinder in 1968, and it spawned a series of variations, most notably the C35AF, which holds the distinction of being the world’s first autofocus camera. Positioned as a higher-end model within the C35 family, the C35FD was released and marketed as the Auto S3 outside of Japan. The Auto S3 distinguished itself from its siblings with two key upgrades: a shutter-priority semi-automatic exposure system, replacing the fully automatic system of the standard C35, and a faster lens – a 38mm f1.8 Hexanon, a step up from the 38mm f2.8 lens.
Konica Auto S3 Camera Front
The Konica Auto S3 belongs to a coveted group of high-quality compact rangefinders from that era, cameras that are experiencing a surge in popularity and, consequently, price in today’s market. A Konica Auto S3 in good working order can often command prices exceeding $250 on platforms like eBay, assuming you can even find one available. Therefore, the $170 price for an Auto S3 described as being in excellent condition, backed by KEH’s six-month guarantee, seemed like a reasonable deal.
Upon receiving the camera, initial checks confirmed it was indeed functional. However, to ensure its long-term reliability and optimal performance, I opted to have it professionally serviced and entrusted it to Advance Camera in Portland, Oregon. Unfortunately, the return journey took an unexpected turn when UPS seemingly mishandled the package. The result was a severely damaged box and a camera rendered non-functional with a noticeable dent. It was sent back to Advance Camera, who skillfully revived it and repaired the bodywork as much as possible. This time, thankfully, the camera arrived intact and fully operational via USPS.
Konica Auto S3 Camera Top View
Handling and Design of the Konica Auto S3
In terms of size, the Auto S3 strikes a balance between compactness and comfortable handling. It’s comparable in dimensions to my Fujifilm X-E2 and roughly the same weight when the latter is paired with the Fujinon XF 27mm lens. This size makes it ideal for everyday carry – substantial enough to feel secure and easy to operate, yet compact enough to slip into a coat pocket or a small camera bag.
Konica Auto S3 Review Sample 1
The camera body itself is quite straightforward in its design, with most of the controls thoughtfully positioned around the lens barrel. The top plate is minimalist, featuring only the film winder and rewind lever, a frame counter, the shutter release button, and a hot shoe for flash accessories. A self-timer lever is located in its traditional position on the front of the camera.
Operating the film advance lever evokes a nostalgic, almost clockwork-like feel, a stark contrast to the motorized film advance of modern cameras. However, the winder generally operates smoothly and consistently. It’s worth noting that towards the end of a roll of film, the winding action does become slightly stiffer and less refined. The shutter release has a noticeable amount of travel before firing, but the actual release is crisp, distinct, and remarkably quiet. This extended travel also serves a practical purpose, enabling the use of the shutter release as an exposure lock.
Konica Auto S3 Lens Controls
Lens and Controls: A Closer Look
Positioned at the front of the lens is the CdS light meter, situated just above the front lens element. The meter is continuously active when exposed to light, lacking an on/off switch. Therefore, it’s crucial to keep the lens cap in place when the camera is not in use to conserve battery life.
Located on the underside of the lens barrel is the film speed selector lever. By pressing and sliding this lever, you can adjust the film speed within the range of ASA 25-800. The scale is clearly marked in both DIN and ASA values, and settings can be made at intermediate values between the marked increments. I have observed that the initial resistance of this lever when pressing to adjust is somewhat light, making it possible to inadvertently change the film speed if you are not careful during operation.
Konica Auto S3 Shutter Speed Dial
Konica Auto S3 Aperture and Focus Ring
Moving to the upper part of the lens, you’ll find the shutter speed ring. This ring provides shutter speeds from 1/8 to 1/500 of a second in full stop increments, with no intermediate speeds available. A Bulb (B) setting is also included, accessible by depressing a small locking pin before rotating the dial. The focusing ring is marked in both feet and meters and is controlled by a generously sized and user-friendly lever with a 45-degree rotation. The closest focusing distance is 0.9 meters, or approximately three feet.
Finally, a guide number ring, marked in both feet and meters, is incorporated for use with the Auto S3’s dedicated flash system. This ring is adjusted via a lever located at the bottom of the lens. The flash system of the camera will be discussed in more detail shortly.
Viewfinder and Rangefinder
The viewfinder of the Auto S3 appears sufficiently bright to my eye, although I lack extensive experience with other rangefinders for direct comparison. In addition to the bright frame lines and parallax correction markings, the viewfinder also features a scale on the right side that displays the camera’s selected aperture, indicated by a swinging needle. Red zones at the top and bottom of this scale warn of over- and under-exposure conditions, respectively. When a compatible flash unit is attached, the scale also displays a dedicated flash indicator mark.
Konica Auto S3 Viewfinder Display
The rangefinder patch is the commonly used yellow-orange rectangular shape. On my Auto S3, it is exceptionally clear, making focusing both rapid and precise. The effective rangefinder base length is 14.2mm. While I am not certain how this figure compares to other compact rangefinders of the era, I suspect it is within a similar range.
One notable omission from the viewfinder display is an indication of the selected shutter speed. While not a critical drawback, having this information visible would be a welcome addition. Occasionally, I find myself needing to slightly adjust my eye position to view the entire bright frame within the viewfinder, but considering the compact size of the viewfinder itself, this is hardly surprising.
The Renowned Hexanon Lens
The lens of the Konica Auto S3 is widely acclaimed for its exceptional quality. It’s a 38mm f1.8 Hexanon lens, constructed with six elements arranged in four groups and featuring Konica’s “Color Dynamic Coating” technology of the time. Online searches for this camera frequently reference a review conducted by Modern Photography magazine, which reportedly concluded that the Hexanon lens was: “One of the best semi-wide angle optics of its speed we have ever tested. All apertures demonstrated center values between 64 to 82 lines per millimeter of resolution providing Leica-class performance.” This is indeed high praise, suggesting lens performance comparable to that of Leica lenses.
Konica Auto S3 Lens Detail
While I haven’t been able to locate the original source of this quotation, I have no reason to doubt its validity. Konica’s advertising campaigns for several of their cameras, including the earlier Auto S and Auto S2 models, employed the slogan “the lens alone is worth the price,” demonstrating the company’s strong confidence in their lens quality.
Based on my own assessment of images taken with the Auto S3, I can confidently say that the lens quality is more than sufficient for my needs, which ultimately is the most important factor for personal enjoyment.
Flash Photography with the Auto S3
Advertisements for the Konica Auto S3 prominently highlighted the camera’s ability to automatically manage fill flash. To utilize this feature, you would attach one of the two dedicated flash units – the X-14 or X-20 – set the guide number, and then adjust the shutter speed until the viewfinder needle aligned with the synchro flash mark on the aperture scale. Konica claimed this system would produce “beautiful daylight flash pictures at the correct exposure.”
Building on this capability, Konica marketed the Auto S3 as “the world’s only 35mm with balanced daylight/synchro flash.” Does this system live up to the hype? Unfortunately, I cannot offer a firsthand evaluation. The Konica flashes designed for the Auto S3 are even rarer than the camera itself, and my own flash photography experience has been dormant since around 2011.
Konica Auto S3 Handling
Handling and Practical Use
In practical use, the Konica Auto S3 handles well. I typically use mine with a wrist strap for added security. It’s comfortable to carry and operate with one hand, and its size makes it easily portable in a larger pocket or small bag. As mentioned earlier, there is a slight risk of accidentally nudging the film speed selector. Additionally, while the robust focusing lever facilitates quick and accurate focusing, its size can also lead to unintentional focus adjustments if you are not mindful.
The simplicity of the camera’s operation is appealing to me. However, if you prefer a more hands-on, fully manual shooting experience, the Auto S3 might not be the ideal choice. It lacks a manual exposure mode, and direct exposure compensation is not available. The only method to influence the camera’s exposure settings is by altering the film speed (ASA) setting.
For my personal preferences, the shutter-priority automation of the Auto S3 is a significant advantage over the fully automatic exposure system of the C35. While aperture-priority automation would be even more desirable, the shutter-priority mode provides sufficient control for the type of photography I typically engage in with a camera of this kind.
Konica Auto S3 Sample Image Detail
Final Verdict: Is the Konica Auto S3 Right for You?
In conclusion, the Konica Auto S3 is a truly excellent compact rangefinder camera, and I wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone seeking a high-quality classic camera. However, it’s important to acknowledge that they are less common than some of their more widely recognized contemporaries from brands like Canon, Minolta, or Olympus. Consequently, finding an Auto S3 in good working condition often means investing at the higher end of the compact rangefinder market.
If fully automatic exposure and a slightly slower lens are acceptable compromises, the Konica C35 offers a more budget-friendly entry point into the Konica rangefinder family. However, if you aspire to own one of the very finest compact rangefinders ever produced, the Konica Auto S3 undoubtedly deserves to be considered among the best.
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By Olli Thomson
