Konica Ai Big Mini BM-411Z

The Konica Ai Big Mini BM-411Z is a compact 35mm camera known for its user-friendliness and sleek design. It aims to deliver high-quality images with minimal effort, targeting casual photographers and snapshot enthusiasts.

Lens

The Konica Ai Big Mini BM-411Z features a built-in 35-70mm zoom lens. It is a Konica zoom lens with 7 elements in 7 groups and a built-in skylight filter.

The focal length ranges from 35mm with an aperture of f/3.6 to 70mm with an aperture of f/6.8. There is no filter thread as it is a fixed lens.

The camera uses an infrared-based, non-scanning autofocus system with an effective range of 1m to infinity. Focus can be locked by half-pressing the shutter button. There are parallax correction marks in the viewfinder for close-ups.

Exposure Settings

The camera utilizes programmed AE (automatic exposure) with a CdS photocell for exposure metering, focusing on a center-weighted measurement. The AE coupling range is from EV2 to EV16.5 at ISO 100 with a 35mm focal length and EV3.8 to EV16.5 at a 70mm focal length. It offers exposure compensation of +1.5 EV.

Flash System

The Konica Ai Big Mini BM-411Z has a built-in flash. The flash fires automatically when the shutter speed reaches the limit for handheld shooting. The flash range at ISO 100 is from 1m to 5.5m at 35mm and 1m to 2.9m at 70mm. The flash recycling time is approximately 3 seconds. There is also a “Child Flash” mode with a flash recycling time of 1 to 3 seconds.

Additional Features

The camera offers a self-timer with a delay of approximately 10 seconds, with a red LED illuminating for the first 7 seconds and blinking for the last 3 seconds. The self-timer function can be canceled. A tripod socket is also present.

The camera provides various shooting modes that can be selected using Mode Switch-1 and Mode Switch-2. These include: Auto-Flash, Pre-Flash, Flash-On, Flash-Off, +1.5EV Exposure Compensation, Infinity Photography, Continuous Shooting, Self-timer, Child-Flash Photography, and Close-up Photography.

Dimensions and Weight

The Konica Ai Big Mini BM-411Z measures 129.5 x 69 x 46 mm and weighs 275 grams without the battery.

Film Recommendations

The camera uses standard 35mm films with DX-coding (eBay / Amazon*). These types of films are still manufactured.

Film sensitivity is automatically set from ISO 25 to ISO 3200. For films without DX-coding, the sensitivity is set to ISO 25. The number of shots per roll depends on the length of the film roll.

Quick Operation Guide

1. Insert Battery: Open the battery compartment with a coin and insert a 6V CR-P2 lithium battery, paying attention to correct polarity. After inserting the battery, operate the power switch.
2. Load Film: Open the camera back, insert a 35mm film roll, and pull the film end to the mark. Close the back.
3. Power On: Operate the power switch. The lens will extend, and the Auto-Flash indicator will appear.
4. Focus and Shoot: Aim the camera at your subject and press the shutter button halfway to focus. When the green light illuminates, press the shutter button fully to take the photo.
5. Mode Selection: Use the Mode Switches to cycle through the camera’s various modes.
6. Unload Film: After the film has been fully rewound, open the camera back and remove the film roll.
7. Power Off: After use, operate the power switch to retract the lens and save power.