Konica Recorder

The Konica Recorder is a 35mm film camera launched in the early 1980s by the Japanese company Konishiroku Photo Industry Co., Ltd., later known as Konica. It is also known outside of Japan as the Konica AA-35.

This camera is characterized by its compact and unusual design, reminiscent of a cassette recorder when closed. The body slides open to reveal the lens and controls.

The Konica Recorder belongs to the category of half-frame cameras. This means that it takes pictures on standard 35mm film (Type 135) that are approximately half the size of a conventional 35mm format (24 mm × 36 mm). The image format here is 18 mm × 24 mm.

The key advantage of the half-frame design is that it doubles the number of exposures per roll of film; A 36-exposure film of film yields approximately 72 images with the Konica Recorder.

A distinctive feature of the Recorder is its vertically oriented film advance, which, unlike most other half-frame cameras, produces landscape-format images, which is more familiar to many photographers than portrait format.

The camera was technologically advanced for a half-frame camera at the time, incorporating modern features such as autofocus, automatic exposure control, and motorized film advance. This positioned it as a fully automatic point-and-shoot camera that simplified photography.

Despite its innovative features and unique form factor, the Konica Recorder represented one of the last significant half-frame cameras from a major manufacturer before interest in the format waned, although it has experienced a bit of a revival in recent times, such as with the Diana Mini.

Lens

The heart of the Konica Recorder is its built-in Konica Hexanon 24 mm f/4 lens. This lens consists of 4 elements in 4 groups and delivers an image effect similar to a 35 mm lens in full-frame format. The 24 mm focal length is considered a moderate wide-angle.

The camera features an active infrared autofocus system. This system measures the distance to the subject using infrared rays and automatically adjusts the focus setting. The focus range is from approximately 0.9 meters to infinity.

It should be noted that the autofocus may have difficulty focusing precisely in certain situations. There are no manual focus options or a focus indicator in the viewfinder; the photographer relies entirely on the automatic system. A zone focus system is not available on this camera.

The lens has no filter thread for attaching filters. The fixed aperture of f/4 is well suited for daylight photography, but can be limiting in low-light conditions or when a shallow depth of field is desired.

Exposure Settings

The Konica Recorder operates with a fully automatic program mode. Exposure is determined by a built-in CdS (cadmium sulfide) light meter, which measures the incoming light.

Based on this measurement, the camera automatically selects the appropriate combination of aperture and shutter speed within its available range.

There are no manual settings for shutter speed or aperture. The camera operates as a pure point-and-shoot camera, where the user simply presses the shutter button.

The available exposure times are continuously variable between 1/60 second and 1/250 second. This limited range limits the camera’s use in very bright conditions (risk of overexposure with fast-moving films) or in very low-light conditions (risk of underexposure and camera shake).

The light meter is coupled, meaning that the measured light values ​​are used directly to control the exposure parameters. A warning light (often orange or red) is located in the viewfinder that illuminates when the camera detects insufficient light (typically below EV 10 at ISO 100). This light serves only as an indicator; the camera will still fire even in insufficient light, which can result in underexposed images if the flash is not used.

Flash System

The Konica Recorder features a built-in electronic flash. This flash is permanently installed and manually activated by the user when additional illumination is needed, particularly in low-light or backlit situations to lighten shadows.

Once activated, the flash takes a few seconds to charge. A separate flash-ready indicator (often a lamp on the top of the camera) illuminates when the flash is ready to fire. Charging time is typically about 8 seconds.

A notable detail of the flash system is its physical orientation. Due to the camera’s design and vertical film advance, the flash is positioned to illuminate the frame in a more portrait orientation. However, since the camera shoots images in landscape orientation, this can result in uneven illumination of the image, especially in close-up shots, where the effect is most noticeable.

There are no external flash connectors such as a hot shoe or PC jack.

Additional Features

The Konica Recorder is designed as a fully automatic point-and-shoot camera and therefore offers only a limited number of additional features beyond basic recording.

The camera features a motorized film advance. After each shot, the film advances automatically to the next frame. At the end of the film roll, the advance stops, and a red LED marked “R” (Rewind) lights up to indicate that the film needs to be rewound.

Film rewinding is also motorized, but must be started manually by pressing a switch on the bottom of the camera. The camera does not automatically rewind at the end of the film.

The Konica Recorder does not have a self-timer. Likewise, there is no tripod thread on the bottom of the camera. This underscores its character as a mobile snapshot camera designed for spontaneous handheld use.

Later versions of the Konica recorder, often with the suffix “DD” (Date Back) in the model name, feature a date back. This allows the recording date to be superimposed directly onto the image.

In addition to the AA batteries for the camera’s electronics, these models require a separate button cell for the date function.

The unique sliding mechanism design not only enhances compactness but also functions as the main power switch. Sliding the case open activates the camera and makes it ready to shoot; closing it turns it off and protects the lens.

Dimensions and Weight

The Konica Recorder is characterized by its remarkable compactness, especially when closed. Its dimensions are approximately 112 mm wide, 77 mm high, and 30.5 mm deep.

The camera was available in black, red, and champagne/gold.

The camera weighs approximately 250 grams without batteries. With batteries installed (two 1.5V AA batteries (eBay / Amazon*)), the weight increases.

For models with a date back, the weight of the additional button cell is added, slightly increasing the total weight, for example, to approximately 304 grams for the Konica Recorder DD with batteries.

These small dimensions and relatively low weight make the Konica Recorder a very portable camera that can easily be carried in a bag.

Film Recommendations

The Konica Recorder is designed for use with standard 35mm film (Type 135). As a half-format camera, it uses only half the area of ​​a 35mm negative per shot, doubling the number of images per film roll. A 36-frame film roll therefore yields approximately 72 images, while a 24-frame roll yields approximately 48 images.

The camera offers the option of manually setting the film speed (ISO/ASA), but only to the values ​​100, 200, and 400.

Later models also feature DX detection, which automatically sets the ISO speed to 100, 200, or 400 for compatible film cartridges with a DX code, overriding the manual setting. This model can be identified by the “DX” imprint on the front.

Films with speeds other than 100, 200, or 400 can be used, but the automatic exposure control only works approximately based on the set or detected ISO level, which can lead to inaccurate exposures.

For films without a DX code, the speed must be set manually, with the selection limited to the three available values.

Given the fixed aperture of f/4 and the limited maximum exposure time of 1/60 second, the Konica Recorder is primarily a camera for good lighting conditions.

For general use and to be able to shoot handheld even in slightly poor lighting conditions, the use of films with a speed of ISO 400 is often recommended. These films offer more exposure latitude than ISO 100 films.

Great films for Konica recorders that are still available today are the Kodak Ultramax 400* for color photos and the Ilford Delta 400* for monochrome black and white photos.

Quick Operation Guide

The Konica recorder is designed for simplicity and follows the point-and-shoot principle:

• Open the camera: Slide the front housing of the camera to the side to expose the lens and controls. This turns the camera on.
• Load the film: Open the back of the camera. Insert a 35mm film cartridge into the film compartment and feed the film leader into the take-up spool. Close the back. The camera will automatically advance the film to the first frame.
• Set the film speed: If your camera does not have DX detection or you are using film without a DX code, set the film’s ISO speed to 100, 200, or 400 using the dial on the back. For DX-coded films with supported sensitivities (100, 200, 400), this value is automatically detected.
• Aim and focus on the subject: Look through the viewfinder and frame your subject. Press the shutter button halfway. The camera will now autofocus and determine the exposure. A green LED in the viewfinder will usually light up when focus is found and the camera is ready. An orange or red LED will warn if there is insufficient light.
• Take a photo: Press the shutter button fully to take the photo. The camera will automatically advance the film after the shot.
• Use the flash (optional): If necessary, you can activate the built-in flash. Wait until the flash-ready indicator lights up before firing.
• Rewind film: When the film runs out of exposures, a red LED with “R” lights up. Press the film rewind switch on the bottom of the camera to rewind the film into the cartridge. Wait until the rewinding process is complete (the motor noise stops).
• Remove film: Open the back cover and remove the film cartridge for development.
• Close camera: Slide the case back together to turn off and protect the camera.