rob_murray Posted October 14, 2005 Share Posted October 14, 2005 I know Konica made one of these and it was not a full frame camera but had a good 17mm lens on it, then it became the superwide full frame with 17mm lens on it. Then they discontinued it! I just found about a dozen of these locally and would like to reload it with maybe slower color film or go for black and white film in it. Anyone familiar with this camera OR anyone reload one? Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark_b4 Posted October 14, 2005 Share Posted October 14, 2005 About a month ago I found a page with detailed information on how to hack that camera so it can be reused, but I seem to have lost the link and can't find it now. I remember once the hack is completed you have to reload the film in a darkroom and the frame counter has to be disabled in order for it to work. I was researching those cameras a while ago and I think they are still being made. The last time I checked they were listed on the Canadian Konica-Minolta website, but not on the US Konica-Minolta site. it does seem like there are a fair number of dealers still selling them new online. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zeno_felkl Posted October 14, 2005 Share Posted October 14, 2005 I owned a similar model of Agfa with a 17mm-lens. First I tried to reload it, but then I disassembled the cam and mounted the lens on a Zorki 4K (cardboard and tape) with good results. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark_b4 Posted October 14, 2005 Share Posted October 14, 2005 I just found the link I was looking for. It has information on how to reload the Konica Superwide and other single use cameras. http://mywebpages.comcast.net/hmpi/Pinhole/Articles/Disposable/Disposable.htm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rob_murray Posted October 14, 2005 Author Share Posted October 14, 2005 Thanks Mark, I found that page earlier and it seems to be for the first version of the konica which was a fake panorama with a reduced size film gate. The new version is full frame but I dont know if theychanged it like most makers to use a special spool of film for winding to keep others from reloading them.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grapegeek Posted October 15, 2005 Share Posted October 15, 2005 Funny thing... I saw that article a while ago and search high and low for that Konica, but I couldn't find it anywhere. Last week I went into my favorite camera shop and lo and behold, there was a pile of them they were trying to get rid off (I think they still have a few as of yesterday). I picked one up and shot the roll in it and then dismantled it. It looks like it's a full frame and I'm getting back the film today. But, it looks pretty difficult to reload. I'm going to hold off on reloading it until I see the results. I should have scans by Monday... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rob_murray Posted October 16, 2005 Author Share Posted October 16, 2005 Steve let us know how the pix come out! Does it use a special film cassette sprocket to keep you from reloading it? thanks. Rob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
larrydressler Posted October 16, 2005 Share Posted October 16, 2005 Believe it or not this camera is not focused for infinity. It is set for shooting group shots at about 20 feet. At infinity foucus is not allowed. try them and see what I mean. Larry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rob_murray Posted October 19, 2005 Author Share Posted October 19, 2005 Believe it or not this camera is not focused for infinity. It is set for shooting group shots at about 20 feet. At infinity foucus is not allowed. try them and see what I mean. Larry It should not be set for infinity on such a wide angle lens anyway. Ideally the focus point would be only about 6ft with depth of field keeping it all in decent focus. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
larrydressler Posted October 21, 2005 Share Posted October 21, 2005 Infinity will be out of focus. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rob_murray Posted October 21, 2005 Author Share Posted October 21, 2005 Infinity will take care of itself. Thats why these cant be focused. No need to. These lenses are probably F11 or F16 so depth of field will cover any focus problems. Take ANY wide angle lens 28mm or less and stop it down to F8 and everythings in focus no mater where you put the focus ring just about. Even more so with a shorter lens and smaller aperture. If you focus your landscape shots at infinity your loosing a lot of depth of field sharpness in your foreground. If you have a picture from this exact camera showing infinity not in focus could you please post it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
larrydressler Posted October 21, 2005 Share Posted October 21, 2005 Rob I find that infinity is not as sharp with this camera with the 17mm as a throwaway with a 28mm and it is a clash of words it how you think of infinity and I do. Infinity and DOF do have a focal point .. that camera does not meet my point of a focal point at infinity. Larry<div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grapegeek Posted October 25, 2005 Share Posted October 25, 2005 Here is a shot I took here in Seattle last weekend. The bridge in the background is about a mile away and it is not sharp. The film is the Konica 800. Very grainy. I'm still not sure I can reload this camera, or want too...<div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ericd Posted November 2, 2005 Share Posted November 2, 2005 I've made some experiments with this camera. The lens is a f/11 focused very close, infinity is out of focus. Shutter speed is 1/100 and the camera is loaded with 800 ISO film. This lead to 4 stop overexposure in bright sun thus grain. However I think the lens is sharp and may give excellent results between 0,4 m and 2,5 m. The camera is easy to reload Reload it with 100 ISO and use it on a sunny day, but shoot people not landscapes. Here is a sample (no flash, shadow with original 800 ISO film) : http://www.photo.net/photo/2060761&size=lg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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