Konica Auto S2 questions

[stradibarrius]

I received my ebay S2 today and I have questions about it's operation.
Will the shutter fire without a battery?

Is the rangefinder hard to work on?

The shutter will not fire on this camera and the viewfinder has a rattle in it. There is no central focus area. When I move the focus lever the framing area moves in and out but no focus area to be seen.

 

[pthornto]

Hi there,

The Konica Auto S2 is all mechanical and the shutter will work without one. The problem with these cameras is that the shutter blades often get stuck from not being used. The good news is that since they are pretty big cameras they are not difficult to open up and get going again. I bought one that was seized up. I ended up taking the front element off the lens and cleaning off the blades of the shutter with lighter fluid. There is a small lever that prevents you from winding on after the shutter has been released, and you have to access this through the bottom plate. There are detailed instructions with photos on the web. Check out:

Dead Link Removed

and do a search also for Mike Feuerbacher's website.
Also check out the classic camera repair forum and you will find all that you need.

It's a fun camera and well worth the time to get it working again!!

Paul

 

[pthornto]

Also,
The rattling in the viewfinder sounds like the rangefinder mirror has become detached and is flopping around. This should also be fixable but take a good look at the web photos as the mirror is delicate and needs to be positioned in the right place.
Paul

 

[stradibarrius]

Thanks Paul! This camera apperas to be in very good condition. It appears to be clean inside and out. The eBay merchant refunded my money and said keep the camera for my trouble so I am going to read the links you gave me and have a go at camera repair!

 

[Peter Black]

There is a user manual available at the link below.

http://www.butkus.org/chinon/konica/konica_auto_s2/konica_auto_s2.htm

 

[stradibarrius]

Ok, I have figured out how to get the camera apart, have repaired the RF, but still have a problem with the shutter release. I have to press the shutter button several times to get it to fire??? obviously there is something mechanical that is hanging the release. Any of you repair guys have an idea?

 

[Snake Charmer]

Konica Auto S2

Hi, I too have the same problem as everyone else with this camera.
Shutter release would not actuate. Rangefinder not apparent. I stripped the camera and found the mirror rattling around. I re-glued and calibrated the finder. I cleaned the shutter release mechanism and got it working to find the shutter and aperture blades stuck. I stripped the lens barrel, cleaned them and got them working sweetly. I re-assembled and now the shutter release will not work again and the meter has stopped working? Now I am stumped. I would be happy to get the shutter working. I am aware that in auto mode there is a lever beside the meter that prevents the shutter release from travelling but this always seems to want to engage. I think the Auto S2 is a nice quality camera so I guess I will persevere. Any advice would be appreciated.