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Post by John Farrell on Jul 6, 2014 20:22:04 GMT -5
A nephew asked if I would like a camera, which a workmate was going to throw out. What he gave me was this  A Konica Autoreflex TC, with 52mm f1.8 lens, a Vivitar and a Tokina zoom and a Konica macro lens. There was also a case with short and long nose tops, 3 different polarising filters, and assorted lens cases and caps. The zoom and macro lenses look unused, and the camera almost as good. The one small flaw with the camera is a sticky mirror buffer. I currently have it loaded with a roll of APX100. |
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Post by philbirch on Jul 7, 2014 3:25:31 GMT -5
Not bad at all, I dont know what the camera is worth on its own but the Konica Hexanon lenses are quite sought after. The Konica macro may well be the jewel in the crown here. I estimate what you have there, assuming its not fungused and works well is in the region of £200+ and that I think is a conservative estimate.
That aside it looks like the perfect kit to kick off a film habit. The mirror buffer and the light seals in the back of the camera normally go 'gunky' with age. They can be replaced easily enough. Be prepared for the odd light leak if you've already put a film in it.
Good find, I'm totally jealous!
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Post by John Farrell on Jul 7, 2014 4:30:54 GMT -5
Phil - I expected the lenses to be fungused, but they're perfect. The outfit looks as if it has hardly been used.
The mirror buffer is behind a deep cover, and not easy to change. The mirror still returns, however - just a little slowly.
I might see if I can find an adapter to fit the macro lens on my Canon digital - the difference in lens mount to sensor will just act as a short extension tube.
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Post by philbirch on Jul 7, 2014 10:34:19 GMT -5
I might see if I can find an adapter to fit the macro lens on my Canon digital - the difference in lens mount to sensor will just act as a short extension tube. Its a macro lens anyway so yes a great idea. Konica AR mount is I think the shortest flange focal distance of all SLR's making all those lovely Hexanons unusable except for those with mirrorless. Having said that, I don't remember seeing an adapter to Canon EOS, its usually to EOS-M. I think a T mount or M42 adapter (for a couple of quid) will be best and try to adapt the mount to fit the lens. If you can get it to seat in the adapter, plenty of hot-glue will hold it firmly in place and will tear out cleanly when you need it to. |
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daveh
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Post by daveh on Jul 7, 2014 13:47:42 GMT -5
There are Konica AR to Canon EOS adapters available.What does always bug me is the rather liberal use of "macro" by lens manufacturers. Some are macro, but most are just close focussing - like that Sears/Ranger/Sirius 28mm f2.8 lens on another thread - or only become "macro" by using a supplementary lens. Anyway, not a bad "find".....and it couldn't have gone to a better home. Good stuff, John. Information on the macro lenses here:It does have an ingenious compensation system for the Macro Lens Adapter, apparently. However Topcon pretty soon after came out with an even more ingenious answer - putting the metering behind the lens. (Though someone (was it Zeiss?) had the original idea pre-war.)
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Post by philbirch on Jul 7, 2014 14:38:28 GMT -5
This adapter has a lens element, great - you'll get infinity but you must stop down a couple of stops as the image goes soft at the edges. I have a some for different lenses M42-Nikon, MD-Nikon and FD-EOS all need stopping down and none of them really suitable for full frame. They're pretty dear though and you'll probably pay import duty too as its outside the EU. |
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Post by John Farrell on Jul 7, 2014 16:13:49 GMT -5
I'm also outside the EU - in New Zealand. I'm hoping to find a less expensive adapter, without the lens element; that would work fine with the macro lens.
I doubt that either of the zooms are better than the lenses I have for the Canon.
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Post by John Farrell on Jul 7, 2014 16:26:05 GMT -5
One suggestion I've seen online is to use a Nikon to EOS adapter, which the Konica AR lenses fit.
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daveh
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Post by daveh on Jul 7, 2014 16:31:35 GMT -5
This adapter has a lens element, great - you'll get infinity but you must stop down a couple of stops as the image goes soft at the edges. I have a some for different lenses M42-Nikon, MD-Nikon and FD-EOS all need stopping down and none of them really suitable for full frame. They're pretty dear though and you'll probably pay import duty too as its outside the EU. If you read the blurb the element is removable for macro work. (addendum - anyway it's not usual to have a lens wide open on "35mm" or 1.5(ish) crop factor cameras when doing macro. For other uses, why bother with the lens at all - there will already be a Canon lens that will do a better job and retain more functions.) I'm sure there must be some available from China. |
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Post by philbirch on Jul 7, 2014 18:12:48 GMT -5
I know the lens is removable, in fact all the lenses in my adapters are removable. The infinity focus it gives is a plus. But is the lens (or lenses) worth it? Like Stephen says there is probably a better Canon lens. Keep the macro lens for film.
If you sell this lot you'll make a few bob. I'd keep the camera as a collectible and sell the lenses to feed my habit...
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daveh
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Post by daveh on Jul 7, 2014 18:33:46 GMT -5
Of course it's not worth it: that is the point I made. I don't recall Stephen making any comment on it, though. of course, John did.
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Post by philbirch on Jul 7, 2014 18:46:22 GMT -5
Of course it's not worth it: that is the point I made. I don't recall Stephen making any comment on it, though. of course, John did. Sorry Dave I meant you. I must go to bed. Night! |
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Post by olroy2044 on Jul 7, 2014 22:32:12 GMT -5
Hi John Nice find on that equipment. Hexanon lenses do indeed have a fine reputation. However, that Vivitar zoom is a very under-rated lens. I have one of them, and it is a very good lens, both on film and on my Canon DSLR. Mine is in K-mount, which is easier to adapt to other mounts than the Konica mount. With the use of a simple adapter, it goes right on to the Canon EF mount, and functions as a manual focus, preset lens. I paid only $9.00 for it on EBay several years ago, and would not take 10 times that for it now. Try it with film, and I think you will like it. The short register distance of the Konica mount may preclude its use on digital without an optical element in the adapter, which would probably degrade its IQ. I have the dedicated Match Mate 2X to go with it and it is a very useful bit of kit for me. It was made by Kino Precision Optics for Vivitar, and sold also under the Kiron brand. Give it a good try before you let it go. A few pix from the lens, on the 20D, straight from the camera, no post: 70mm up close  90mm  [/URL
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150mm
 Roy |
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Post by John Farrell on Aug 17, 2014 21:21:24 GMT -5
I think I've found why the Konica TC hasn't been used much - it has a meter fault. I tried it first with alkaline cells, and adjusted the film speed to correct exposure, and then this morning I fitted zinc-air cells.
It isn't possible to get a reliable reading; the needle swings up and down, and successive readings differ. This would make using the camera on auto rather painful.
It looks like there's a bad connection somewhere.
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