Konica Autoreflex T2 Review

[@NautilusGuitars]

Thank you for this. I just found an Autoreflex T (not sure which iteration yet, as I haven't picked it up), that comes with 6 lenses, the original manual and paperwork, flash, and case for $30!!! I wasn't sure it was a good camera, but for that price, I couldn't pass it up. I'm thrilled to find out that it's actually a great camera, and likely has some excellent lenses that will also be usable on my Canon EOS R. I've been wanting to shoot film for a while, and missed out on a Canon AE-1 not too long ago. It seems this may have worked in my favor!

[@tonyhayes9827]

Thank you for these videos Brian. They're awesome. Informative and so much fun to see different versions of old film cameras. I have a nikon FTN and FE along with manual focus Nikon glass. But I love ALL cameras and lenses from ALL manufacturers. They're all brothers and sisters in the photography family and it's so cool to hear about them. I was dragged up on pentax and canon film cameras. The history of these cameras and changes over time and why manufacturers did things are always so cool to find out about. It all adds to the art of photography. Your videos are very much appreciated. Life's good, even though down here in Melbourne Australia COVID has the better of us for now and we're in lockdown.

[@BriansPhotoShow]

Many thanks for the kind words! We're headed back into lockdown where I live too. Be well, and let's look forward to better times.

[@carpediem673]

I found one of these with a 57mm f1.4 in a thrift store about ten years ago. It's a hefty beast of camera but the action is silky smooth.

[@scottsinaz3000]

Very nice video Brian. I think another unloved "built like a tank" camera from that era is the Mamiya/Sekor 1000 DTL. And it does not use a mercury battery like so many others.

[@BriansPhotoShow]

I did not know that. Does it take universal thread mount, or is there a proprietary bayonet mount?

[@scottsinaz3000]

@@BriansPhotoShow It is a universal thread mount.

[@alfepalfe]

7:56 if it is the same as on the autoreflex T3 then that is for the battery check.

[@markgoostree6334]

I bought one of these in 1971. Still shoot it. When the mercury batteries went away, I didn't realize the change would affect my camera. The resistor has been changed, however, I have to set the asa dial to half the actual film speed. So, I shoot 400 and set for 200... works fine.

[@northof-62]

Oct. 2021: I found a good looking T3 which I think is the new model as there is no T3 inscription on the top. I comes with the 50mm f1.7 for around 90 USD equiv. , so prices are climbing. My battery solution is The Small Battery Company's MR44 adapter which I just bought two of for around £65 total. But most Hexanon lenses are still relatively cheap, I see. Exception being that 21mm f4 which starts at around $250.

[@ravilamir]

Canon did have a model with shutter priority and a Copal Square shutter. That was the Canon EF, nicknamed 'Black Beauty". Pretty much the same body as the F-1, heavy metal construction, rugged and with mechanical shutter with speeds 1/2-1000th sec and electronic controlled speeds from 1 second to 30 seconds. A good alternative to the Konica Autoreflex T2.

[@BriansPhotoShow]

Yes, I owned an EF some years ago. It was Canon's first electronic camera and as a rule, I avoid recommending first-generation electronics. Apparently, EFs are notoriously difficult to work on, and the film advance mechanism has an Achilles Heel in the form of a brittle plastic part which, when it fails, renders the camera useless and beyond repair. From a reliability standpoint, I prefer the Autoreflex.

[@ravilamir]

@@BriansPhotoShow Didn't know about the reliability issues. Thanks.

[@pkeiths1594]

Got the T3n but the Max size F stop is out on mine, so the 40mm 1.8 reads 1.4 in viewfinder, the 28mm 3.5 reads in between 2 and 2.8 and the 135mm 3.5 reads bang on 2.8.

[@draganvicentic2048]

Thanks for the great display of the Konica T system, Brian! Brian's Photo Show Can you compare fujinon X, EBC lenses for Fijica / porst mount with Hexanon lenses? I am especially interested in the opinion on the photo quality of these two systems? Greetings Dragan

[@timryan6395]

Konica T series cameras (particularly the T3n) best kept “secret” in the analog world.

[@BriansPhotoShow]

Agreed 100%

[@robinj.9329]

Of all the activities I enjoyed in my long life, Photography 📸 with an excellent quality 35mm SLR Camera has to top the list. In my youth, during the 1960's, 70's, 80's and 90's, I shot thousands of frames. For myself, family, friends, and (yes even Paying Customers!) the public. I've shot people, whales, wildlife and weddings. And there is still a THRILL when (by return post) I open up a package of prints, fresh from the Lab and share those captured images with my peers. You can keep your Digital zip boxes! Give me an old Nikon, Canon or Pextax! And I'll bring home the "MONEY SHOT" every time. GOD BLESS GENUINE PHOTOGRAPHY 📸

[@BriansPhotoShow]

Preach on, brother!

[@andrewrothman7805]

I love these reviews, very informative and helpful. I have to say, based on your praise for the Autoreflex, I purchased 2 of them at different times (both T2 models), very cheaply. Unfortunately, both of them have jammed film advance levers, which from a bit of research seems to be a very common problem with these cameras. Of course, with the cheap price of the camera, it just doesn't seem worth it to send them for repair. I wonder if anyone knows a way to repair this issue.

[@BriansPhotoShow]

In my opinion, a good "built like a tank" SLR is worth investing in. If you can find a good tech who can overhaul these cameras for a reasonable price, I'd do it.

[@andrewrothman7805]

@@BriansPhotoShow Since my prior comment, I've received an early Autorex (the Japanese market version of the original half/full frame Auto Reflex). It has the same shutter problem and advance lever problem. I was about to give up on these cameras, but the great lenses kept me searching for an answer. Today I had a nice conversation with Greg Weber in Nebraska, who specializes in Konica repair. He advised me that this common problem is due to a rubberized bumper in the camera that over the decades turns to dust, jamming the advance and the shutter. He says it is easily repaired (assuming one knows how), so I'm sending him the Autorex, an Autoreflex T3 (a nice black model), as well as an old Konica IIIA rangefinder, and I'll see what he can do with them. He can also easily convert the electrical system to take modern batteries. Fingers crossed...

[@fatherheer]

@@andrewrothman7805 I’m curious if you had a good experience with Weber camera repair?

[@andrewrothman7805]

@@fatherheer I did have a good experience a few years ago. Now, however, he's had some serious health issues and really isn't active anymore. I just asked him to return a Konica IIIM that he has had since last spring. I'd look elsewhere at this point.

[@fatherheer]

@@andrewrothman7805 thanks for the response…I’m sorry to hear…I will continue to search for a good Konica repair shop

[@GONZOFAM7]

Hello Brain. Hello I was given a Konica Autoreflex T2. It will not fire. The self timer/DOF lever is stuck in position at about 10 o'clock. Any thoughts before I dig in and poke around? Repair manual or parts diagram. I searched but no luck. I'd like to get this guy going. I think it would be a great street shooter with the 40mm f1.8.

[@jigmelhamo7841]

Hey Brian I'm hoping you can help me, I recently got the Autoreflex T2 and I've tried loading the film and battery but the film advance lever seems jammed. Everything else seems to work fine and the camera is in great condition from what the eye can see, any advice or tips?

[@BriansPhotoShow]

That could be any number of things. Wish I could help.

[@jigmelhamo7841]

@@BriansPhotoShow Do you know of any resources on the web? I did some extensive googling and didn't really get anywhere, anything would be much appreciated!

[@brunogieebner]

Hi Brian, again a great video! I fully agree with you that the Autoreflex T2s are great 'back to the roots' cameras. My recently purchased T2 still works well in manual mode. Even the metering needle is indicating, although not fully accurate due to 1.5V batteries installed. However, something isn't clear to me and perhaps you might know about this phenomenon: On the EE position, when I push the release button, my camera always closes the lens down to f16, even in low light with a preset short shutter speed. I think, in such light condition the camera should automatically adjust the aperture rather open. What could be the problem? Thanks! Bru.

[@BriansPhotoShow]

Do you mean depth-of-field preview button, rather than release button? Perhaps DOF preview only works correctly when the lens aperture is set manually.

[@brunogieebner]

@@BriansPhotoShow Hi, I ment shutter release button.

[@NobleMarcos]

I have one of these, passed down from my father. I know nothing about cameras and the mirror inside broke so, considering it's age, i think it's ruined forever.

[@BriansPhotoShow]

You might consider donating it to a repair shop for parts.

[@NobleMarcos]

@@BriansPhotoShow never. It's one of the few things I have left of my father. If I can't make it work it'll just sit there as a memento

[@ronaldsand3000]

Love the video’s but I wish there were less reviews on the less relevant brands More on Nikon, Pentax or Canon etc brands which are still around today

[@BriansPhotoShow]

I've adopted Konica as my pet "orphan" brand because no one else is talking about it and it's high quality stuff at bargain basement price. Having said that, there's no shortage of Nikon vids on this channel, and you can look forward to more Canon rangefinder content, too.

[@ronaldsand3000]

Brian's Photo Show Hi Brian I appreciate it might be your pet brand but availability of Konica cameras and lenses is very limited People wanting to buy cameras shown by presenters like you need a reasonable chance of getting a similar camera if they take a liking to them. Brands like Nikon, Pentax and Canon are readily available I suppose as a over the top Nikon collector I am bias towards your video’s on Nikon Kindest regards Ron Sydney, Australia

[@V14-x6n]

Please, please, please don’t say NAIKKORMAT - it’s NIKKORMAT. It’s hurts ears. It’s illiterate. this is rules of english pronounciation because of two K’s. And also because it’s NIKON, not NAIKON to begin with.

[@paulgray1699]

Grow up

[@V14-x6n]

Probably the longest sentence you managed to put together in you life, albeit with no punctuation. Oh, and how long did it take you to read what I wrote. Lol

[@paulgray1699]

@@V14-x6n or don't