The Konica MR.640 is a compact 35mm film camera from the late 1980s. The camera was built by Konica in Japan. It is weatherproof and easy to use. In 1989, an even more robust version, the Konica Genba Kantoku DD, was introduced.
Lens
The Konica MR.640 features a fixed Konica lens with two focal lengths. A switch allows switching between the two options. A focal length of 40mm with a maximum aperture of f/3.5 (3 groups, 3 elements) and 60mm with a maximum aperture of f/5.2 (6 groups, 6 elements) are available.
The lens is protected by a skylight filter. There is no filter thread because the lens is fixed.
The autofocus system is an active infrared system with two sensors that detects distances from 0.9 meters to infinity. Focus is locked when the shutter button is pressed halfway. There is no option for manual focus or zone focus.
Exposure Settings
The Konica MR.640 features programmed AE (automatic exposure control) with a CdS photodiode for exposure metering. Metering is center-weighted. The camera automatically selects the appropriate aperture and shutter speed.
The exposure range is ISO 100: f=40mm EV6 (f/3.5 1/5 s) to EV17 (f/16 1/500 s) f=60mm EV7 (f/5.2 1/5 s) to EV17 (f/19 1/360 s). There is no manual mode for setting aperture and shutter speed.
Flash System
The camera has a built-in flash that activates automatically when lighting conditions are insufficient. The flash can also be manually activated or deactivated. The flash range is 0.9 to 5 meters (wide angle) or 3 to 16.4 ft. The flash recharge time is a maximum of 3 seconds.
There is a fill-in flash mode and an off flash mode. There is no option to connect an external flash.
Weather Resistance
The Konica snapshot camera has a weather resistance rating of JIS Class 4. This means it is protected against splashes of water from all directions. Specifically, the camera was tested with 10 liters of water per minute sprayed from a height of 300 mm to 500 mm onto an area of 1 m². The test was conducted for one minute and repeated for a total of at least five minutes without causing any damage to the camera.
Additional Features
The Konica MR.640 features a self-timer with a delay of approximately 10 seconds. An LED lights up for the first 7 seconds, then flashes for the remaining 3 seconds. The self-timer can be canceled. The camera has a tripod thread.
A version with automatic date imprinting and a digital LCD display on the back was also offered. The date or time can be imprinted up to 2019. There is also an option to deactivate the date imprinting.
Camera Batteries
The Japanese point-and-shoot camera is powered by a 2CR5 battery (eBay / Amazon*). This type of battery is still easy to find online today. According to Konica, one battery is sufficient for 40 rolls of film with 24 frames each, if you use the flash for half of the time.
The model with the data back also requires a CR2025 battery (eBay / Amazon*). This battery lasts significantly longer. If you don't use this feature, you can do without the battery.
Dimensions and Weight
The camera's dimensions are 135.5 x 72.5 x 69.0 mm. It weighs 340 grams without the battery. With the optional date imprint, the depth increases to 72.0 mm and the weight to 345 grams.
Film Recommendations for the Konica MR.640
The Konica MR.640 uses standard 35mm (135 film) with DX coding. The film speed is automatically set based on the DX code (ISO 50 to ISO 3200). For films without DX coding, ISO 100 is automatically set.
For color images, there's the Kodak Ultramax 400*. If you prefer black and white photos, the Ilford Delta 100* is a good choice, which is still in production.
Films with a low ISO rating (e.g., ISO 100) are good for landscape shots in bright daylight. Films with a medium ISO rating (e.g., ISO 400) are versatile and well-suited for portraits and snapshots. Films with high ISO ratings (e.g., ISO 1600 or ISO 3200) are ideal for shooting in low-light or for fast-action shots, such as sports photography.
The camera features automatic film advance and rewind. The film roll is automatically rewound when the last frame is exposed.
Quick Operation Guide
- Inserting the Battery: Open the battery compartment and insert a 2CR5 lithium battery.
- Loading the Film: Open the back of the camera and insert a 35mm film cartridge. Make sure the film is properly inserted into the film advance spool.
- Turn on the camera: Turn on the camera by pressing the power button.
- Aim at the subject: Point the camera at your subject and aim at it.
- Focus: Press the shutter button halfway to focus.
- Take a picture: Press the shutter button all the way down to take the photo.
- Remove the film: The film will rewind automatically after the last picture. Open the back cover and remove the film.
