Konica Auto S3

The Konica Auto S3 is a 35mm camera. It is part of Konica’s Auto S series, but it is quite different from its predecessors.

It was created in response to a demand for a higher quality Konica C35. The latter was characterized, among other things, by its compact and lightweight design. So a compact camera with a fast lens was developed, the Auto S3.

The 35 mm camera comes with a 38 mm f/1.8 hexanon. An exposure meter is also built into the camera. It works semi-automatically, the photographer selects the exposure time the camera selects the appropriate aperture. This is displayed in the viewfinder.

A rangefinder is also installed in the Konica Auto S3. It can be used to set the correct distance to the subject.

The power needed for the light meter, otherwise the camera simply always selects an aperture of f/1.8, comes from PX 675 mercury battery, at least that’s what it’s designed for. For environmental reasons, we no longer sell or manufacture these batteries. As an alternative for the Konica Auto S3, you can reach for 1.4V hearing aid battery.

A flash can be fired either by the hot shoe or by the PC flash socket. An automatic flash (guide number 7 to 56) is available where the camera sets the aperture according to the guide number, which the photographer must specify, of the flash; a flash can be used at all exposure times thanks to the central shutter.

A thread for a tripod and a cable release are provided. A filter can be screwed to the filter thread, this has a diameter of 49 mm. The CdS cell for the exposure meter is located inside the filter area.

The Konica Auto S3 weighs 410 grams, a little more than half of the Konica Auto S2. Its dimensions are 112 x 71 x 61 mm.

Cameras very similar to the Konica Auto S3 are the Revue 400 SE, Vivitar 35ES or even the Minolta Hi-Matic 7sII.