Konica Autoreflex T3

Paul Howell · Apr 12, 2022

I have 2 working T3s and and a T4, just had the T4 serviced as the mirror was on occasion hanging up. I use shutter speed priority most often, when shooting news always figured the minimum shutter speed to the action and let the camera set the aperture. The 50mm 1.7 is a great lens, I don't think Konica ever made a bad lens. The winder for the T4 is slow, was told that Konica did not made a high speed motor drive as while in Shutter Speed priority the early light meters were not responsive enough to keep with a motor capable of more than 3 frames a second. I use hearing aid batteries, a bit pricy as the T3 and 4 take two.

grat · Apr 13, 2022

Paul Howell said:
I have 2 working T3s and and a T4, just had the T4 serviced as the mirror was on occasion hanging up. I use shutter speed priority most often, when shooting news always figured the minimum shutter speed to the action and let the camera set the aperture. The 50mm 1.7 is a great lens, I don't think Konica ever made a bad lens. The winder for the T4 is slow, was told that Konica did not made a high speed motor drive as while in Shutter Speed priority the early light meters were not responsive enough to keep with a motor capable of more than 3 frames a second. I use hearing aid batteries, a bit pricy as the T3 and 4 take two.

I have a IIIA rangefinder, a T3, and an FT-1-- and I agree, the lenses are amazing. The FT-1 does a whopping 2 frames per second in continuous mode.

I just got the FT-1 functional, so I haven't had much of a chance to test it out yet. Since my T3's light meter is kaput, I've been using a Reveni cube meter on both the T3 and the IIIA. It'll be very confusing having a working light meter for a change.

Paul Howell · Apr 13, 2022

What is nice about the FT 1 is that runs on AA batteries. I'm pondering getting one, maybe selling off a T3.

grat · Apr 13, 2022

Paul Howell said:
What is nice about the FT 1 is that runs on AA batteries. I'm pondering getting one, maybe selling off a T3.

It *can* run on AA batteries. I have yet to see a battery pack that isn't AAA, however. Still a commonly available battery, though.

The FT-1 is a mixed bag-- the camera's nice, but it suffers from an early ribbon cable implementation, where the ribbon cables are clamped down by a strip of rubber, and a brass(?) bar screwed into place. The rubber deteriorates, and causes corrosion on the ribbon cable terminals. On the other hand, it's pretty straightforward to remove the top, take the connectors loose, clean the rubber and corrosion off, and replace the insulator.

I bought one for $30 USD, and after 45 minutes of cleaning and reassembly, I have a fully functioning FT-1.

Helge · Apr 13, 2022

The FT-1 is pure cyberpunk. I’d love to have either of mine working. It’s the best feeling of the Konica’s I’ve held.
The electronics are poor though.

grat · Apr 13, 2022

Helge said:
The FT-1 is pure cyberpunk. I’d love to have either of mine working. It’s the best feeling of the Konica’s I’ve held.
The electronics are poor though.

I'd say they have a weakness-- which I elaborated on above. Fix those three cable connectors, and chances are very good the camera will come back to life. When I got mine, the shutter worked (erratically), the light meter, the auto-load, and continuous shooting, were all defunct. Now everything works. For a 35+ year old camera, that's pretty robust.

There are a couple of youtube videos that show the repair.

Paul Howell · Apr 13, 2022

Sorry, mixed up my Minolta A9000 with the Konica, you are right AAA.

BobD · Apr 13, 2022

I have recently become a fan of the FS-1. Simple, compact, relatively quiet and it uses modern batteries.

Helge · Apr 14, 2022

BobD said:
I have recently become a fan of the FS-1. Simple, compact, relatively quiet and it uses modern batteries.

But super hard to find a working example of. And no manual mode.
Basically an ME/EM with motor drive and shutter instead of aperture priority.

BobD · Apr 14, 2022

Helge said:
But super hard to find a working example of. And no manual mode.
Basically an ME/EM with motor drive and shutter instead of aperture priority.

You are mistaken. The FS-1 does have a manual mode. So, it's not an "ME/EM with motor drive."

There are 3 versions of the FS-1, as ID'd by serial number. The first two have reliability issues. The last version is much more reliable.

__Brian · Apr 14, 2022

grat said:
It *can* run on AA batteries. I have yet to see a battery pack that isn't AAA, however. Still a commonly available battery, though.

The FT-1 is a mixed bag-- the camera's nice, but it suffers from an early ribbon cable implementation, where the ribbon cables are clamped down by a strip of rubber, and a brass(?) bar screwed into place. The rubber deteriorates, and causes corrosion on the ribbon cable terminals. On the other hand, it's pretty straightforward to remove the top, take the connectors loose, clean the rubber and corrosion off, and replace the insulator.

I bought one for $30 USD, and after 45 minutes of cleaning and reassembly, I have a fully functioning FT-1.

I have both AA and AAA Battery packs. I like the larger AA for a better grip.

The FC-1 is also nice.

Helge · Apr 14, 2022

BobD said:
You are mistaken. The FS-1 does have a manual mode. So, it's not an "ME/EM with motor drive."

There are 3 versions of the FS-1, as ID'd by serial number. The first two have reliability issues. The last version is much more reliable.

You’re right on the first point. Somehow missed that you could just take the lens out of AE mode.

I have a late model FS-1 that sucks a pack of batteries in a day, even when turned off.
Any easy fix for that?

BobD · Apr 14, 2022

Helge said:
You’re right on the first point. Somehow missed that you could just take the lens out of AE mode.

I have a late model FS-1 that sucks a pack of batteries in a day, even when turned off.
Any easy fix for that?

I would try checking for a short in the battery holder or try a different one. Fast draining batteries are usually caused by a short circuit or a failed (shorted) component somewhere. If it's just in the battery holder, it's an easy fix.

Chris Johnson · Apr 15, 2022

I have two Konica Autoreflex Ts that are in excellent shape with a number of lenses for sale, a 35 mm Hexanon, a 28 mm Hexanon, a Vivitar 20 mm 3.8, and a Sigma 28 mm macro. I would let it all go for 120 dollars, plus shipping from Illinois.
PM me or e-mail at : Fyrwnrdy@yahoo.com

Konica Autoreflex T3

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