Somewhat Wonky Konica Autoreflex T3

EricTheReddish · Dec 26, 2024

This camera is the first SLR I ever owned.

My issue is similar to this thread: https://www.photrio.com/forum/threads/jammed-konica-t3.106511/ but it's been 11 years, so I thought I'd see if there was any new (un)conventional wisdom.

The problem: With lens in AE setting, pressing the shutter flips up the mirror, but doesn't trigger the shutter and the film advance lever jams. Pressing the depth of field preview trips the shutter and the film advance lever works as usual.

Other tidbit: If the lens is set to a specific f-stop, the shutter fires fine.

I don't think it's the lens, since it happens on all three lenses.

I have two workarounds:

Forget the automatic exposure, and set the f-stop manually
Use a two-phase shutter trigger: Press the shutter release, then the depth-of-field preview to trigger the shutter

But it would be nice to use the camera as it was made. The "auto exposure" feature was a big deal back in the day. Anyone have any ideas of what I might try to fix this? Hopefully without any major disassembly, as I'm mostly thumbs and would prefer not to make things worse.

As an aside, the camera "officially" takes PX625 batteries which don't exist anymore (because, mercury) and were 1.35v. The more current 357 battery fits and works but is 1.5v. I estimate, based on the camera's own battery level meter, that the extra current would over-expose by 1 2/3 stops. I haven't yet tried to verify that though. EDIT: I noticed on Greg Weber's site that he says just the opposite, so just shows what I know.

Thanks for any and all help!

Sharktooth · Dec 26, 2024

Just use it in manual mode. There's too many things that can go wrong with those old metering systems that use PX625 batteries, and it's probably not worth the time and effort to try and fix it, even if you manage to do it yourself. I have a few older cameras that use PX625 batteries and I use all of them in manual mode only, including a T3.

For metering, you can use any of a number of free cell phone metering apps. You could also splurge on a good used hand held light meter, or just use sunny 16 tables.

EricTheReddish · Dec 26, 2024

Sharktooth said:
Just use it in manual mode. There's too many things that can go wrong with those old metering systems that use PX625 batteries, and it's probably not worth the time and effort to try and fix it, even if you manage to do it yourself. I have a few older cameras that use PX625 batteries and I use all of them in manual mode only, including a T3.

For metering, you can use any of a number of free cell phone metering apps. You could also splurge on a good used hand held light meter, or just use sunny 16 tables.

Thanks for your reply. I kind of figured I might end up having to go the manual mode route. I have other cameras with "quirks" in their operations. It makes them more interesting. I already have a handheld meter, so that won't be an issue.

Paul Howell · Dec 26, 2024

I have a number of T, T to T4 and As, if you take the lens off you will see a slot that the(for lack of better term) pins on the back of lens slot into. I think the small and longer of the pins is moved by the exposure system, it is inside the camera body. When in manual mode the F stop will change as the F stop on the lens is changed. Ts are inexpensive enough to risk buying another body.

EricTheReddish · Dec 26, 2024

Paul Howell said:
I have a number of T, T to T4 and As, if you take the lens off you will see a slot that the(for lack of better term) pins on the back of lens slot into. I think the small and longer of the pins is moved by the exposure system, it is inside the camera body. When in manual mode the F stop will change as the F stop on the lens is changed. Ts are inexpensive enough to risk buying another body.

Thanks, but this particular T3 has kind of "sentimental" value, so I'm more likely to use it as-is if I can't fix it.

Paul Howell · Dec 26, 2024

I really like my Konica, I have Nikon, Minolta, Pentax among other MF bodies, still I like the Konicas. A Konica T was my second 35mm SLR, bought it in 1970 along with a 50mm 1.2. Konica made some of the best lens, the 57mm 1.7 was used for years by the Japanese to test other 50mm lens against. I sold my T to buy a Nikon F with motor drive.

reddesert · Dec 26, 2024

If the camera doesn't fire in auto mode but works fine in manual mode, that is probably an issue with the meter or the electrical system. (Konica A and T SLRs are some of the few SLRs that have an auto exposure mode but also a without-battery full selection of manual shutter speeds; they work sort of like a Canonet or similar shutter-priority rangefinder).

Anyway, if the battery level meter is indicating something, it suggests the camera does have power, however it may still be worth checking that you have a fresh battery and that it's making good contact, because the 357 battery is smaller than the original PX625. I don't think you'll hurt anything by using a 357 battery. But if it doesn't work on AE, it may be hard to fix without tearing the camera open looking for bad wiring, and you would be better off keeping the camera intact and using it in manual.

EricTheReddish · Dec 26, 2024

reddesert said:
Anyway, if the battery level meter is indicating something, it suggests the camera does have power, however it may still be worth checking that you have a fresh battery and that it's making good contact, because the 357 battery is smaller than the original PX625. I don't think you'll hurt anything by using a 357 battery. But if it doesn't work on AE, it may be hard to fix without tearing the camera open looking for bad wiring, and you would be better off keeping the camera intact and using it in manual.

The 357 batteries are brand new and working fine, based on the deflection of the meter needle, though the value is inaccurate as noted previously. Pressing half-way down on the shutter release locks the needle to a particular f-stop as expected. Pressing all the way down flips up the mirror, but then it locks up. So I'm guessing there's something in the linkage between the camera and lens that's keeping it from setting the aperture according to the metering system.

As suggested earlier I may just use the camera on manual, but I'd love to have it fully functional.

P C Headland · Dec 27, 2024

You could get a PX625 adapter and some hearing aid / zinc-air batteries (Energizer 675). These are 1.4v, close enough to the 1.35v mercury cells.

Paul Howell · Dec 27, 2024

A zinc air hearing battery fits without an adaptor, the T including the T4 used 2 625 mercury batteries.

Paul Howell · Dec 27, 2024

BTW here is a link to the T3 service manual.

EricTheReddish · Dec 27, 2024

Paul Howell said:
BTW here is a link to the T3 service manual.

Thanks!

EricTheReddish · Dec 27, 2024

Paul Howell said:
A zinc air hearing battery fits without an adaptor, the T including the T4 used 2 625 mercury batteries.

Cool... I'll look into that!

dynachrome · Dec 27, 2024

My experience with Konica SLRs now spans more than fifty years. I found the T3, which I got in 1975, to be not nearly as reliable as my T2 from 1971. When a T3 is in good repair and used only with original Konica Hexanon lenses, it can be a pleasant camera to use. It was Konica's first try with a micro touch shutter button. Use of a non-Konica lens would almost always jam the advance mechanism. In those years, apart from my standard lens, my lenses were mostly Vivitars. I got very good service from them but not on the T3. Most of the T3's problems carried over to the T3N. The TC and T4 were reliable. The FS-1 had too many problems to mention. The FT-1 was much better. I'm not sure anyone other than Greg Weber has the equipment needed to service the FT-1 and Greg is retired from camera repair. In the last year I had a local repairman overhaul an Autoreflex A and an Autoreflex A3. Both work well and are not bothered by non-Konica lenses. The mechanical Konica Autoreflex cameras can still be repaired. Parts are not a problem because so many were made. Which Konica SLRs do I use with a hand held meter? I have several FP cameras with the old F mount from about 1962. Greg overhauled two of them for me and I use them from time to time.

Paul Howell · Dec 27, 2024

Yeah, I feel the same, the T and T2 seem to just keep on trucking along with my As. My T3 is still working fine, the T4 needs new leather, but it lacks the shutter speed readout of the T, T2, T3. I use a few Vivitar S1 lens which seem to work fine with all my bodies. Other than a somewhat dim viewfinder, on the whole easy to use. I bought my first t in 1970, I had been using my Pentax Spotmatic and Retina IIIC big. I was freelancing for a few small daily near the college I attended. The full time photographers were old WWII and Korea vets, they only used a meter for color work and teased me about using the new fangled TTL on the Konica. The news and photo editor told them my negatives were the best exposed easiest to print. What I like about the is as a news shooter I could set the shutter speed to lowest speed I thought I could get away with and concentrate on the action. When I got a F3p and FG I avoided the aperture preferred exposure mode as it too easy to let the shutter speed drop too low and have camera shake. Today not much of an issue unless shooting sport I generally shoot on a tripod.

Have you used a TC? I am tempted to get one.

EricTheReddish · Dec 27, 2024

I did correspond with Greg Weber to make sure he's retired, and indeed he is. But he did say he'd train someone and sell them all his parts if they wanted to carry on the repair business.

dynachrome · Dec 27, 2024

A few years ago I approached a repairman in New England with the proposition that he would get Greg's equipment and repair Konicas. His reply? "I don't know if I really need it." Over time and with Google Street View I discovered that he gave up his storefront and was apparently doing repairs from home. I know several really good repairman who either had workshops at home or still do but I'm not sure the guy in New England is still working. Apart from Greg's retirement, the two most consequential retirements for me were Ken Oikawa and Ken Ruth at Photography On Bald Mountain. They both helped me sustain my too large camera collection and enjoy using well maintained equipment. I am lucky to have a repairman not far from me. I see him several times a year and he has been able to work on a wide range of cameras, lenses and accessories.

EricTheReddish · Dec 27, 2024

dynachrome said:
A few years ago I approached a repairman in New England with the proposition that he would get Greg's equipment and repair Konicas. His reply? "I don't know if I really need it." Over time and with Google Street View I discovered that he gave up his storefront and was apparently doing repairs from home. I know several really good repairman who either had workshops at home or still do but I'm not sure the guy in New England is still working. Apart from Greg's retirement, the two most consequential retirements for me were Ken Oikawa and Ken Ruth at Photography On Bald Mountain. They both helped me sustain my too large camera collection and enjoy using well maintained equipment. I am lucky to have a repairman not far from me. I see him several times a year and he has been able to work on a wide range of cameras, lenses and accessories.

Was the guy from New England named "Zack?"

Somewhat Wonky Konica Autoreflex T3

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