FC-1 and the decline of Konica

[@richardsimms251]

Very interesting video. I have never seen a Konica up close. RS. Canada

[@JasonSaeler]

Thanks for the video.. Crazy battery tray.. I almost threw it away thinking it was just some old batteries in weird packaging.

[@mortezaes]

Thanks for the video, Brian. My experience with the FC-1 is quite the opposite. I had the T2, T3, and TC and loved them all, but I became tired of using an external light meter with them, so I bought an FC-1 for around 15 USD. To my surprise, this camera became my favorite and go-to camera specially for street photography. Unlike your experience, my FC-1 has a very accurate light meter. I checked it with my Nikon F90X and also my Sekonic light meter, and the FC-1 gives me the same results. It's very light, small, and, as you mentioned, it has a great film loading system.

[@punkrachmaninoff]

The Konica 40mm f1.8 is one of the best lenses ever made. Give Israel a hug for me from Canada.

[@1973sonvis]

I’m a Konica SLR lover too, but their latest models was destined for oblivion. It’s a shame because they used to be so great. But I’m still loving those metal bodied Autoreflex T’s. And the AR lenses, of course! 😊👍🏻

[@Steve-GM0HUU]

👍Thanks for video. I had forgotten about Konica. The battery cassette? One advantage may be that it reduced risk of inserting battery or cells the wrong way? You could have a spare cassette loaded with cells that would allow quick battery change. I suppose using a 4LR44 would have achieved same thing but the 4LR44 could be inserted the wrong way.

[@ZommBleed]

He lives!

[@RascalKyng]

What a weird battery compartment, more longevity maybe? ... Bought this camera for $12, Hex.50mm 1.7 lens. Not sure if I'll keep the camera body though...

[@ianhand5006]

The battery, used by Canon, was known as PX28, 4SR44, 4LR44, and PX28L. Still available today and cheap, too!

[@borderlands6606]

The FP-1 is a weird camera. Its target market was people who wanted to appear photo savvy with an SLR, without any of the hassle of learning how to use one. Not only was it full program, but any lens you put on it would only work at f2.8, f5.6 or f11. Setting the aperture manually defaults shutter speed to 1/100. I picked one up 15 years ago for pennies, just for the strangeness factor. Definitely a what-were-they-thinking camera. Good lenses, terrible bodies, at least after the Autoreflex models.

[@koby1960]

That battery carrier looks very similar to the one in the Bronica SQ-ai...

[@wraggal]

How is the TC-X?

[@sonuvasteele2226]

The TCX is just a cheap version of the TC. Runs on a AAA battery. Which is really helpful so I don't have to buy the Weincell batteries. It takes all of the lenses you'd use on any of the other konica cameras so you still get the joy of shooting those. Only downside I see is that it's an all plastic body but I've had mine for 7 years now and I use it more than the other konica bodies I have just because the battery and the weight of the camera. It's like a feather. Especially when traveling. If your battery dies, you have plenty of places to buy a AAA battery.

[@northof-62]

My FS-1 died quietly.

[@jamesharvey446]

What a shame.

[@tomislavmiletic_]

(8:12) 🤯🤯🤯... WHY??? I know there's stupid battery compartments, but I guess I'd need more time for changing batteries in that camera than the time I needed to disassemble an AK47 completely back in the day. And that was 70 seconds by the way...