CosteaM Posted February 28, 2011 Share Posted February 28, 2011 <p>Couple of weeks or so ago I started again my rounds at the Goodwill and Thrift stores where I live, looking for that forgotten “user”. I was lucky to find this nice Konica Auto S2 in very good working condition for only $4.99. It’s not like it was new; just had some minor problems:<br>- Self timer not working but I can leave with that – all shutter speeds work well<br>- Battery dead but it was a mercury 656 no longer produced but then I can leave without the light meter. I use a handheld meter anyway. In the mean time I tested the light meter with a silver oxide + battery adaptor and it works very well.<br>- The RF mirror is cloudy but I opened up the top and figure there is no dirt inside, it is just that the golden film is probably worn out. I know I’m not supposed to touch the mirror so if anyone has ideas on how to improve the viewfinder condition, I’m listening.<br>- Light seals were all melted. Luckily I still have some material left from my last purchase from Jon Goodman and I was able to replace all seals.</p><p>Took the new member of my collection for a ride and here are few shots. Conclusion is that I’m very much impressed with the quality of the Hexanon lens.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CosteaM Posted February 28, 2011 Author Share Posted February 28, 2011 <p>Konica Auto S2 with the Hexanon 45mm/ F 1.8</p><div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CosteaM Posted February 28, 2011 Author Share Posted February 28, 2011 <p>Leather case</p><div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CosteaM Posted February 28, 2011 Author Share Posted February 28, 2011 <p>Snoopy - you already know him</p><div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CosteaM Posted February 28, 2011 Author Share Posted February 28, 2011 <p>Clown at the winterfest in Aurora, ON</p><div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CosteaM Posted February 28, 2011 Author Share Posted February 28, 2011 <p>Clown at the winterfest in Aurora, ON</p> <div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CosteaM Posted February 28, 2011 Author Share Posted February 28, 2011 <p>Ice car</p><div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tomscott Posted February 28, 2011 Share Posted February 28, 2011 <p>Mihai, I have cleaned many (probably at least 20) Konica Auto SII mirrors and never had any problem. When I take the top off, and then remove the little metal cover that covers the RF, I clean every side of every piece of glass that I can get at with a cotton swab and some alcohol diluted in water. I did ruin the beam splitter mirror on a Konica C35 one time but, that entire camera was filthy and didn't look like it had been taken very good care of. I have never had any problem with the Auto S2. Now, I have to make the disclaimer that I cannot guarantee you the same luck but, I have gotten very good results and, like I said, never had a problem.<br> By the way, I like your shots with the Konica. What film and developer did you use?</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CosteaM Posted February 28, 2011 Author Share Posted February 28, 2011 <p>Hi Tom,<br> Thanks for the advice; Honestly I'm tempted to try; If anything goes wrong I can always canibalize the mirror from a defunct RF. This time I used Ilford FP4 - 125 ISO exposed at 50 ISO and developed in D-76 1:1 for 7min 55sec (this is based on my personal EI).<br> Outside I measured light with my Soligor Spotmeter - I'm kind of afraid to pull that out in a croud; the damn thing looks like a gun :-)</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rick_drawbridge Posted February 28, 2011 Share Posted February 28, 2011 <p>Mihai, that has to be $4.99 well-spent! It looks very tidy now and certainly performs well; those are nice sharp, well-toned images. I like the presentation with the drop-shadow...</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ridinhome Posted February 28, 2011 Share Posted February 28, 2011 <p>Very nice Mihai, and welcome to the Konica club. Be warned - the Konica Auto S2 has a major problem associated with it. It leads to the purchase of more Konica gear.</p> <p>Regarding your rangefinder patch - have you considered <a href="http://rick_oleson.tripod.com/index-165.html">Rock Oleson's black tape trick</a>?</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JDMvW Posted February 28, 2011 Share Posted February 28, 2011 <p>Looks good to me. Nice pictures and that one really looks like a camera, if you know what I mean.</p> <p> </p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
walter_degroot Posted February 28, 2011 Share Posted February 28, 2011 <p>The Yashica guy sells an adapter and may have one that is suitable for your camera.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CosteaM Posted February 28, 2011 Author Share Posted February 28, 2011 <p>Kayam, thanks for the advice. I saw your pictures then I experienced first hand this wonderful Hexanon lens so, yes I can see how it may drag me into the Konica realm. I'm very week when comes to this addiction; is there a rehab for GAS?<br> JDM, thanks. I know exactly. Next one to go out shooting is the Canon Cannonet QL17 GIII. I think the quality of the Canon lens is very close to the Hexanon.<br> Walter, I have the battery adaptor that delivers 1.35V from a silveroxide - this is how I tested the lightmeter. </p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Gammill Posted February 28, 2011 Share Posted February 28, 2011 Nice shots. Congrats on getting such a great bargain. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
james_kennedy9 Posted March 1, 2011 Share Posted March 1, 2011 <blockquote> <p><em>Next one to go out shooting is the Canon Cannonet QL17 GIII. I think the quality of the Canon lens is very close to the Hexanon.</em></p> </blockquote> <p>The Canonet is a neat little package and I own a few but I don't think it is as good as the S2. I picked my S2 in Vietnam in 1966 for $35 brand new at the PX, my first ever 35mm. I was following the advice of the older heads who overwhelmingly preferred the S2. That plus a Seiko wrist watch. I must have been living in a cave since that was my first inkling that Japanese products are really first rate. I still have both and they still operate like new.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jodys Posted March 1, 2011 Share Posted March 1, 2011 <p>Nice camera for $5, nice job fixing it up. I can never pass up one of these myself, I know how it feels. My last $5 rangefinder purchase, last Friday, was a Ricoh Elnica 35M. Haven't started work on it yet, but it has working batteries and the shutter/aperture work and respond to light.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick_van_Nooij Posted March 1, 2011 Share Posted March 1, 2011 <p>Great pictures Mihai,<br> The Hexanon on the KAS2 lens is worth every cent you paid for it, 10 times over! Who cares if the meter isn't working ;)</p> <p> </p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brett_rogers Posted March 1, 2011 Share Posted March 1, 2011 <p>Perhaps a long shot, but check the position of the flash sync switch. If it is set to "M", the self timer lever will lock up and give the appearance of being jammed. Set it to the "X" position and the timer may yet live. Ask me how I know this...</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CosteaM Posted March 1, 2011 Author Share Posted March 1, 2011 <p>Brett, thanks for the tip. As soon as I get home will check that out.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CosteaM Posted March 2, 2011 Author Share Posted March 2, 2011 <p>For the record: both suggestions from Tom Scott and Brett Rogers worked well for me; thank you very much guys! Last night I cleaned up carefully the glass and mirror inside the RF which is now clear and snappy. Then I moved the self timer lever from the "M" position to "X" and the timer came back to life. Lessons learned. All problems on this camera are now fixed.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brett_rogers Posted March 2, 2011 Share Posted March 2, 2011 <p>That's excellent news, glad it worked out for you. My Auto S2 is one of my favourite cameras and I agree, the lens is very, very good. I should use it more, really. Unfortunately, they are a little hard to find for $5 here in Australia, so I had to pay slightly more for mine!</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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