Wards ep 504 camera

KerrKid · Oct 27, 2022

I just snagged a Wards ep 504 camera on ebay. Seems fairly obscure. It's a rebadged Konica Auto SE, of course, and I read a decent review about those.

This camera seems all there and is in excellent condition. The seller said the shutter didn't work, but I'm almost 100% sure he had no idea that it has to have film in it for the shutter to work.

It's a beast. Very solid and heavy. My Konica Auto S2/am551's are bigger but not as heavy.

Does anyone own one of these or have any info on this model they'd care to share?

Thanks!

gone · Oct 27, 2022

Nice camera, it's one that I've never seen though.

I had a Konica once, and it had a razor sharp lens. Like your camera, it was heavy. It had a sharper lens than a Leica, but didn't image like one, more like a really sharp Tessar. No 3-D stuff. Never had any issues w/ the Konica at all.

KerrKid · Oct 27, 2022

momus said:
Nice camera, it's one that I've never seen though.

I had a Konica once, and it had a razor sharp lens. Like your camera, it was heavy. It had a sharper lens than a Leica, but didn't image like one, more like a really sharp Tessar. No 3-D stuff. Never had any issues w/ the Konica at all.

They’re supposedly kind of rare. I couldn’t find much info on it or even the Konica Auto SE.

What do you mean by your Leica and Tessar comments? I’m afraid I don’t know those lenses enough to know their qualities and what you said makes me curious to know more. All I’ve heard is that the Konica lenses are sharp and contrasty.

I’m happy to hear you didn’t have any trouble with your Konica. That says something for cameras as old as these.

Paul Howell · Oct 27, 2022

I have a couple of Wards, one is storage another I need to take the bottom cover off and lube the rewind button, it is popping back out, hope that will be an easy fix. I like the 550 version with the 47 1.9mm lens, pretty sharp with good contrast. I also have a Konica S3, has one be best lens ever put on a fixed lens rangefinder, but it is all automated exposure, with the Wards I can override the meter and the built in lens shade is a handy feature.

KerrKid · Oct 28, 2022

Paul Howell said:
I have a couple of Wards, one is storage another I need to take the bottom cover off and lube the rewind button, it is popping back out, hope that will be an easy fix. I like the 550 version with the 47 1.9mm lens, pretty sharp with good contrast. I also have a Konica S3, has one be best lens ever put on a fixed lens rangefinder, but it is all automated exposure, with the Wards I can override the meter and the built in lens shade is a handy feature.

I thought you had an am551. I have two of those now and three Konica Auto S2’s. Glad to hear that rewind button finally popped out. Ballistol is my answer to almost everything that needs lube.

I believe the Konica Auto SE/Wards ep 504 was the first to use the lens that the S3 uses - 38mm f1.8. This Wards ep 504 has the lens shade, too.

Paul Howell · Oct 28, 2022

I have both, one I had put the 551 back in storage, I think I got mixed up with my early posts, the one I have out is the 550, which has the meter cell on the body of the camera rather than within the filter threads.

KerrKid · Oct 28, 2022

Paul Howell said:
I have both, one I had put the 551 back in storage, I think I got mixed up with my early posts, the one I have out is the 550, which has the meter cell on the body of the camera rather than within the filter threads.

Ok, that makes sense. I haven't paid attention to the 550, but I'm sure it's a great camera as are all these Konica rangefinders, I think.

Paul Howell · Oct 28, 2022

I'm not sure if it the rebranded the first generation or second generation made for Wards. The S3 was also offered by Vivitar as the ES.

KerrKid · Oct 28, 2022

Paul Howell said:
I'm not sure if it the rebranded the first generation or second generation made for Wards. The S3 was also offered by Vivitar as the ES.

I think there is a Revue version of the S3, too. All of the variations are a bit pricey since everyone seems to know what they are.

Paul Howell · Oct 29, 2022

I looked at the Vivitar, thought as a backup to my Konica in case the electronic go south, just too expensive.

KerrKid · Nov 16, 2022

Sorry. I haven’t checked in for awhile. I rigged up a hearing aid battery to work in my Konicas and discovered that only one am551 has a working meter. The other am551 and the 3 Auto S2’s don’t. Not the end of the world, I guess. My little C35 Automatics are fine.

I just took a chance on a black Konica C35 from Robert’s Camera and got bit. Dead meter and, worse, the focus ring on the lens has no affect on the rangefinder. Rats. I may just shelve it as a Knick Knack since a dead meter on an automatic camera probably renders it useless.

Wards ep 504 camera

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