FC-1 and the decline of Konica

[@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.

[@richardsimms251]

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

[@punkrachmaninoff]

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

[@MezeiEugen]

The problem is not the voltage difference but the voltage stability, as it serves as a comparison for the meter. It is like you can measure exactly with a ruler in cm and with a ruler in inches but you can not with a rubber band.

[@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...

[@JasonSaeler]

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

[@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.

[@ianhand5006]

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

[@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...

[@ZommBleed]

He lives!

[@MezeiEugen]

Yeah, and the battery door of the AE-1 brake. This one not. Also the FS-1 uses R6/AA batteries, therefore the bulky handgrip. (That is pretty comfortable btw.)

[@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.

[@MezeiEugen]

No need to bash the FS-1. I have 4 of them an none has problems. It seems the problem occured when using rechargeable batteries. There is a big sticker in the battery compartment that forbids the use of these. Follow that and you will have no problems. The FS-1 brought us the 40 mm pancake. It also is in many respects a more performant camera than the T3 and T4. Better lightmeter, a bit brighter viewinder (the best viewfinder is in the last Konica labelled camera, TC-X, not even produced by Konica, you can find it also labelled as Nikon and somewhat eles, I do not remember). The only thing I miss is the DOF preview button. (This came with the FT-1 but good luck finding a working one of those. You have to replace a condensator in that model.)

[@mrsuspend]

I'm sorry you got a bum specimen but I honestly think you're being unfair. My FC-1 (never serviced) is absolutely fine and meters perfectly. The only features I miss is DOF preview and the possibility to use a standard cable release.

[@northof-62]

My FS-1 died quietly.

[@jamesharvey446]

What a shame.