Konica Auto S2
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Konica Auto S2Entry/Object ID
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The Konica Auto S2 is a legendary 35mm rangefinder renowned for its exceptionally sharp Hexanon 45mm f/1.8 lens. In the 1960s, Konica famously marketed this camera as a "$110 lens with a free camera attached," a testament to the lens's professional-grade optical quality which many photographers still compare to Leica's Summicron glass. It features a bright, large viewfinder with automatic parallax correction—the bright-frame lines actually move as you focus to ensure your framing remains accurate even at close distances. Technically, the Auto S2 offers a "shutter-priority" automatic exposure mode, where you select the shutter speed (up to 1/500 sec via the quiet Copal SVA leaf shutter) and the camera’s CdS "Electric Eye" selects the corresponding aperture. A unique design feature is the placement of the light meter cell inside the filter ring; this means the meter automatically compensates for any filters you screw onto the lens. It also includes a retractable built-in lens hood, a rarity for cameras of this era. This specific unit includes its original Konica-branded leather "ever-ready" case. While the camera is fully mechanical and can be used without a battery, the light meter originally required a 1.35V mercury cell. Modern users typically use a 675 zinc-air battery or a 1.5V silver oxide cell with a voltage-reducing adapter to keep the "Auto" functions accurate. Because there is no "mirror slap" like in the SLRs we've cataloged, the Auto S2 is favored by street photographers for its nearly silent operation and discrete profile.Category
Camera, Rangefinder, 35mm Film, Project Analog
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