I also have the f2 Ultron. What a lens! BTW, since I'm happily married I can't act on these observations, but both cameras, especially the Vitessa L, are babe magnets! Just sayin'....
I also have the f2 Ultron. What a lens! BTW, since I'm happily married I can't act on these observations, but both cameras, especially the Vitessa L, are babe magnets! Just sayin'....Yup, I have both the Vitessa L and this new IIIa.
I'm not sure which I like better yet. Both are jewel-like in their quality and design. Both have EXCELLENT lenses (I have the Ultron 50mm F2 on the Vitessa L).
I won't be parting with either.
chrismat, regarding your post from 2017-do you still want one?They are beautiful cameras. I had one once, I'd like to get another one some day.
Good to know, although I'll leave that sort of work to experts.....I would like to add that they are relatively easy to strip, clean and reassemble.
Good to know, although I'll leave that sort of work to experts.....
I just picked up an immaculate Konica IIIA. I've been looking for one for some time. Either they were pretty beat up, or price plus shipping was too high. I finally found one in excellent condition and it arrived Saturday.
It looks GREAT, but there was a problem. Shutter speeds were all over the place. Yesterday I took the lens assembly and shutter apart for a thorough cleaning. What surprised me when I took it apart, was that I found an extra leaf in the shutter. There were six shutter leaves with only room for five. Two shutter leaves must have been stuck together when this one was built at the factory.
After a good few hours of soaking in naptha, the shutter assembly was as clean as new. After putting everything back together, now all the shutter speeds are accurate.
For a camera this old, it is in like new condition. I wonder if that extra shutter leaf made this camera not work correctly so it was relegated to a shelf some where. It certainly looks like it didn't get much use.
And yes, the rangefinder is HUGE, BRIGHT and a pleasure to look through.
I've loaded it up with some film and will be shooting a roll or two today. I'll post back once I get some shots with it.
Oh, and this one has the nice 50mm 1.8 Hexanon lens.
What a beauty. Probably one of the nicest looking rangefinders I've seen.
Konica IIIA by Andrew Marjama, on Flickr
Konica IIIA 2 by Andrew Marjama, on Flickr
Konica IIIA 3 by Andrew Marjama, on Flickr
I shot a short roll of Technical Pan through the camera to test it out. Last night I developed the Tech Pan in Rodinal at 1:150 for 7 minutes. Tech Pan has to be the flattest film in existence, it is so easy to scan.
As you can see from the photos, it looks like the camera works just right. That lens is also extremely sharp!
Anyway here are the scans. I didn't have to touch the contrast, it was perfect right from the straight scan. I scan my B&W in color and use the color adjustment dropper to give a little sepia look to the negative. Tech Pan has to be one of my favorite films, grainless, sharp and just the right contrast. I'm going to be unhappy when I run out of this bulk roll.
Konica IIIa Test 1 - Technical Pan by Andrew Marjama, on Flickr
Konica IIIa Test 2 - Technical Pan by Andrew Marjama, on Flickr
Konica IIIa Test 3 - Technical Pan by Andrew Marjama, on Flickr
Konica IIIa Test 4 - Technical Pan by Andrew Marjama, on Flickr
Konica IIIa Test 5 - Technical Pan by Andrew Marjama, on Flickr
Konica IIIa Test 6- Technical Pan by Andrew Marjama, on Flickr
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