The Konica K-mini, launched in the 1990s by Konica, is designed as a snapshot camera. In the USA, the model was marketed under the name Konica U-mini. Elsewhere, it was available as the Konica EU-mini. In China, the model was sold as the Konica K88. The camera was also produced in China.
The camera's package at the time included a wrist strap, a battery, and a roll of 35mm film.
This 35mm camera is equipped with fixed optics. The lens marking is "Konica 28mm f/6.7", which means a focal length of 28 mm and a maximum aperture of f/6.7.
Manual focus settings are not available on this model, making free focusing on the subject impossible. For sharp images, a minimum distance of 90 cm to the photographed object must be maintained.
An integrated flash is part of the Konica K-mini's features. At an ISO sensitivity of 100, its range is between 0.9 and 2.3 meters. At ISO 400, the flash reaches up to 4.6 meters.
The camera weighs 135 grams and its dimensions are 11 x 6.1 x 3.25 cm. The power requirement for all functions is covered by a CR123A battery (eBay / Amazon*). This battery type is very easy to find online.
Films for the Konica K-mini
35mm films are required for use in the Konica K-mini. Due to ongoing demand for this film format, various companies continue to produce corresponding films. However, Konica no longer produces films.
Examples of films still available today for the Konica K-mini include the Kodak Portra 400* for color reproduction and the Ilford XP2 Super* for black and white shots.
The aforementioned color film is a color negative film, which is usually developed using the C-41 process. Films developed using this process can be processed in practically all photo labs. Larger drugstore chains in Germany also offer color film development.
The shooting size of the camera corresponds to the 35mm standard of 24 mm x 36 mm. After each shot, the film is automatically advanced by a motor drive, making manual film advance unnecessary. The motor allows for an image advance of one frame per second.
