Konica C35 Automatic Review

[@eyewandersfoto]

Super agree with most everything you have to say about these adorable (and capable!) little cameras. Konica has become my favorite camera brand over the past 5 years and I've resurrected quite a few since then, most recently one of these little C35 original models. That 38mm (and all Hexanons) are fantastic - I agree bang-on, they're the best of *both* modern/sharp and vintage/character! I love the shutter-priority with the aperture scale too - the half-press mechanical AE lock is amazing for a camera this simple and old. But the C35 (and C35FD/AutoS3) are NOT fully electronic cameras at all. I def agree with the focus miss gripes and the *this-is-going-to-be-a-brick-someday* mindset about many electronic cameras (T4, T2, G4, Mamiya 7, Pentax 67ii, etc etc.. and most of the popular point-&-shoots etc etc) , but it does NOT apply in the same way for these Konicas... The C35 and C35FD (AutoS3) are almost purely mechanical cameras. Just responding here mostly cuz I don't think it's fair to lump these in with the likes of T4 in terms of reliability or longevity. The Konicas win hands-down. All the early Konicas use their trap-needle shutter-priority AE system, which is awesome *because* it's mechanical. Their only electrical bits are the flash hot-shoe connectivity, and the meter itself. There's very little to go wrong (unlike a T4 or G2 or Mamiya 7). Either the CdS cell will die for some reason (super super rare at this point - water damage could do it), or there will just be a bad wire or solder connection somewhere, often at the battery compartment (super super *common*). But both of these problems are fixable (unlike a T4 or G2 or Mamiya 7) and the bad connection/wire issue is VERY EASILY fixable. I've brought many of these back to life doing nothing more than that re-soldering a broken battery cradle wire that got correded and broke because a dead battery was left in it (probably for years). Anyhow - I could go on about my Konica love more but won't. Sorry for the long comment - just don't want your viewers to get the wrong idea about these cuz they are far, FAR more repairable and less risky to own than many other electronically controlled shutter/exposure cameras. They're just fantastic. I'm shoot a C35FD, an Autoreflex T4 and that newly revived C35 the most recently. Love Konicas. They deserve to be a much bigger part of the film shooter conversations today! Awesome video btw - love seamless combination chat, walk-around footage, shot examples and even through-the-viewfinder video examples. Really well done. New sub. :)

[@OneMonthTwoCameras]

Thank you so much for this super informative note!! I didn't realize the wiring was so easy to repair. I had a Pentax LX for which this was not the case on an otherwise mechanical camera and it's spooked me ever since. Pinning this to ensure it gets eyes.

[@eyewandersfoto]

@@OneMonthTwoCameras Absolutely. :) And funny you mention the LX. (I'm longtime Pentax shooter)... The LX is my favorite 35mm camera of any in practice, but the one I've had for 7 or 8 years has PCB board issues and loses it's metering mind a lot. I feel the same way about electronically controlled cameras as you! And that said, after telling myself I just needed to be OK with my sort of functioning LX (for 7 years now) but just 3 weeks ago I bought another one, like a sucker. It's a late model and I paid far too much for it but .... It's my favorite. I trust my MX and Konica T4 much more, but the LX is just such a pleasure to use. Oh well. Cross your fingers for me. lol (edit: The LX is both electronic and mechanical... all the speeds from 1/75th flash-sync and up are mechanical, but all the slower speeds are electronic, as well as the aperture priority auto obviously. That's to say that at least they can function at those higher speeds even if all the electronics completely fail. Better than many others at least in that way.) Also just one more quick note: the C35-FD / Auto-S3 models have the same "Flashmatic" (or similar) system as this C35 does, it's just not badged that way. The original C35 (without Flashmatic badge) and the C35V were both made before that feature was introduced and they *do* lock the shutter speed at a certain flash-sync. E.g. just like this one, the Auto S3 will flash sync through all its shutter speeds. Enough of my blabbering. Cheers and thanks for the great vid!

[@juligonzalez686]

@@eyewandersfoto @onemonthtwocameras Would you then purchase a C35 automatic with a known metering problem? The camera looks clean as can be, gorgeous and everything works but the meter. Maybe I could have it fixed on the cheaper end. Or maybe I should look for one that is in full working order. Of course it will cost more anyway. Would love your feedback! Thanks! And I love this channel!

[@Bettys_Eldest]

In the early 80s I bought my first decent camera an Olympus OM1n, which was a great little camera. A friend of mine had an Olympus rangefinder, which I loved, but couldn't justify the expense of buying one. A few years later a used Konica C35 came up for £10 and I couldn't resist. It was great for putting in the pocket of a cycling jersey, and my wife and kids took many pictures using in whilst riding the back of our tandems. I really should dig it out again.

[@takaya4203]

Thank you for this channel. Your videos are really refreshing, I like the way you mix specs, your experiences with the cameras and how it feels to shoot with them. Keep going!

[@OneMonthTwoCameras]

Thank you for watching!

[@chriscorey5164]

Yes to Minolta. My XD is just a dream, and a joy to use.

[@gottanikoncamera]

What a great channel. I appreciate your delivery; reminds me of well thought out presentations from advertising execs back in the day. Look forward to more.

[@OneMonthTwoCameras]

Amazing compliment! Thank you for watching :)

[@trevorbrooks813]

Talking head vids don't usually hold me for so long but this one kept me in tight, thanks. My favourite brand was always Pentax, having shot film through their 'golden era' of the 60's and early 70s...(the middle of last century, ha) I also shot Minolta and loved their optics. Sony grabbed some real benefits when it acquired Konica/Minolta. Enjoying the show, thanks again.

[@OneMonthTwoCameras]

That means a ton to me Trevor! Thanks so much! My dad was a professional photographer from the 60s through the 00s and I love all these old cameras.

[@ogredof]

I agree whith you about CCd sensors.I am using digital cameras with this kind of sensor,and give sometimes ,results similar to film photography. Best example Canon G 11 ,from 2009 , and Canon Powershot A 640 (doesn't do raw files ,but it has a flip screen ,for hip shooting ) ,and are great with all their limitation ,compared with the today's cameras .A camera with some technical limitations ,helps a lot to become a better photgrapher,i think .Great channel !

[@OneMonthTwoCameras]

Totally agree! Two great cameras you got there. Who needs new when we have responsible and fun consumption by way of old.

[@bcostin]

The Konica C35 models are awesome. There were a couple other manufacturers who made very similar cameras, too. I have one branded "Argus" which was apparently made by Cosina (they made everything!) and sold under a bunch of different labels. That little corner lens flare may depend on the aperture. These compact rangefinders usually a leaf-shutter design where the shutter blades double as the aperture, using a sort of scissoring motion to stop down as needed. This is very clever, but one side-effect is that instead of rounded bokeh balls you can get a triangular bokeh. Another is that the straight edges of blades can sometimes catch the light and reflect back into the lens, causing those angular flares. I like the look!

[@OneMonthTwoCameras]

Ahhh super helpful!! Thank you for that insight.

[@richardbishop581]

I’ve been shooting digital with adapted analogue lenses for some years now and have said that I wouldn’t shoot film again. I then discovered Lucy Lumens podcast and started to get caught up with the idea of film photography; I could feel myself slipping down the rabbit hole and then I heard her interview with you and it helped me calm back down, reassess and be happy with the gear that I had already. I then saw this video about the Konica c35; I already knew and loved the Konica Hexanon fixed lenses, and so in the end I couldn’t resist. I’ve just had some new film stock delivered and am waiting for a refurbished c35 to arrive. Getting excited, and a little worried that it won’t be the last new old camera that I end up getting.

[@OneMonthTwoCameras]

Aw love hearing your path here and think/hope you'll enjoy the C35 as much as I have.

[@larryzapata2614]

I like that you are not pushing new tech sponsored by "Huge Corporation". And are reminding me why I had the most fun ever on clunky difficult to use cameras and remembered that the process was as much fun as the results. Thank you

[@OneMonthTwoCameras]

You're so welcome!! The joy old cameras can bring is extraordinary.

[@museonfilm8919]

I have two Konica C35's in black - the exposure lock is the thing that makes me still use them. Also I have a Yashica Electro 35GX, a bit bit chunkier than the C35, but a great street/fashion shooter.

[@OneMonthTwoCameras]

Awesome! So funny - I literally dreamed about this camera last night 😂

[@xiangyu9910]

Great contents and also needs to say that your pronounciation is so clear that even for a non-native speaker like me, I don't need any caption.

[@OneMonthTwoCameras]

Oh wow! So glad to hear that!

[@KarySchump]

I just found a Mercari listing for $29.62 (including tax and shipping, with a roll of film and a case). Bought it, and I'm excited to try it! It's coming in the mail as I type this. Always fun to watch (and rewatch) your videos! Thanks for clueing us in to lovely old cameras, and to go beyond the hype of the new, and as you've suggested in other videos, to take responsibility for finding our own cameras, knowing that there are #nobadcameras and that there is "no perfect camera." Thank you for what you create and share!!

[@VariTimo]

One thing about film cost is knowing what stock you actually need. If scanned well, Kodak Gold 200 looks incredibly close to Portra 400 in a lot of daylight scenarios and it’s not much worse in low light than Portra 400. It’s even better than Portra 400 in warm tungsten light if there’s enough of it or you have a fast enough lens. I’d say Portra 400 is really only worth it if you really need its specific rendering of skin tones. Otherwise I’d go with Gold for general purposes shooting, especially in daylight and Portra 800 if I need speed. And Kodak committed now to keep consumer films affordable. They should be around $10 a roll at places that don’t mark up the price. It’s currently $8.59 at B&H for a roll. If you can get it scanned well it’s really all you need except for very low light. If you can hold the camera steady at 1/30th or 1/15th. But even 1/60th is fine in a lot of low light scenes. Portra 400 is great but it’s very high tech for higher end things and really not that worth it compared to Gold for day to day stuff. That is if the Gold is scanned well obviously.

[@GhostFestivalMusic]

The whole Konica/Minolta line of film cameras are awesome. I always recommend the X-700 or X-370 for people who want a beginner SLR since the Rokkor lenses punch way above their weight class at the price. This is a cool format for a photography channel, so I'm looking forward to what else you have coming up!

[@OneMonthTwoCameras]

My first film camera was a Minolta 7000i followed by an OM-1. Great cameras, both of them. I even love the early KONICA Minolta digital cameras. A review of some of those are also forthcoming. Thanks for the comment and feedback!

[@innstikk]

Excellent. Fully agree with not spending lot of money on film cameras with electronics. I love my Konica IIIa rangefinder camera (mechanical), Voigtlander Perkeo II and Bessa I (also mechanical) and Minolta Autocord and SRT (mechanical SLR) with Rokkor lenses. So well built all of them and should last as long as I take care of them. I like that C35 flare/light leak.

[@joeydz1593]

I just bought a konica c35.. i have read somewhere that using an lr44 battery might overexpose the shots a bit due to the volt difference so it is suggested to compensate with a lower ISO.. is that true?

[@ginatsui4923]

I bought a konica C35ef3 recently and totally fell in love with it. I have considered konica C35 but I don't like the rangefinder focus especially for old cameras it would be really hard to focus. And I find zone focus really easy and satisfying. BTW Love ur channel!

[@andrewbaines1831]

Another great video and loved your Instagram pictures !.....it remind's me of what photography used to be about and the simple fun of it all....you seem so relaxed and natural , Excellent !!!

[@OneMonthTwoCameras]

Thank you Andrew!!

[@junaidmalik1809]

I think the framing issue is because this camera doesn't have parallax correction. When you say you set the camera to 200 for 400 speed film, does that mean you set the asa to 200 on the barrel of the lens? I'm a digital shooter looking to get my toes wet with film, and I think I'll be getting a c35 :).

[@sliepa]

I have a thing for Chinon cameras, a really lesser known brand. I have the Chinon Cp7m SLR, the Chinon Belami Af (Belami wtih one L, there's another one with 2 LL's which is a different camera -- weird), the Chinon Focus Free DX, the Chinon Multi-Focus and the Chinon InfraFocus 35F-MA (the Andy Warhol camera). Love and use them all.

[@OneMonthTwoCameras]

Chinons are brilliant! I share your love and appreciation!

[@carltanner9065]

Love Minolta cameras...my "serious" Minoltas that I own are two SRT Supers. One's silver and the other is black :) And, the one thing I love more than the camera bodies are the Minolta lenses. Rokkor lenses are right up there with the best, IMO. My pride and joy is the 16mm f/2.8 fisheye. Took me ages to get it but when it came up for sale on eBay, I had the money to get it and I snaffled it up!!. No way I was letting it go!!. I love the fully mechanical aspect of the older Minolta cameras. My two Supers will most likely outlast me. Hardly any electronics to go wrong and they just keep working. Though, having electronics go on the fritz doesn't worry me much as I can repair it. Unlike most of the modern cameras, the PCB's in the old cameras are not surface mounted, so the components are much easier to work with. And, you can hunt down repair manuals for a great many older cameras. The one thing I really like about the older cameras is the feel in your hands. The all metal bodies just have that solid feel when you pick them up. I suppose that's why I like film, despite the cost having gone up recently. I'm not complaining :).

[@OneMonthTwoCameras]

That experiential feeling you describe and the mechanical solidness of the old film cameras is right on.

[@hypecamera]

Whole heartedly agree. I did my own review on the C35 and it blows my mind.

[@OneMonthTwoCameras]

Your review and results are amazing!!

[@hypecamera]

@@OneMonthTwoCameras why thank you!!

[@hydrodynamica9233]

I love mine. After owning countless Leica M film bodies with expensive lenses i sold all of that to simplify my kit. I took this camera to japan with my Olympus Xa's and the photos from the Konica were flawless. The way the lens renders is really special. I actually enjoy the shots from the Konica more than with my Leica M6 with 35mm Summicron. I find the simpler the camera the more i enjoy taking photos.

[@OneMonthTwoCameras]

I love hearing that. These really are so underrated.

[@mynewcolour]

I picked up a C35 today because I’m getting a bit 😬 about using M body Leica$ in busy, chaotic or dicy situations. Or if I’m half cut or distracted. I _love_ that the C35 can go in a pocket. Incidentally … I think you can disable the C35 meter (saving battery charge) by putting the camera in B mode.

[@geoffpedder]

The c35 is almost completely mechanical, only the meter is electronic but there are so few parts it's not likely to fail if it's kept well.

[@mwales2112]

I'm a Leica digital rangefinder shooter, but have not shot film since the early 90's and have wanted to give it a go again. I purchased a C35 Auto today at a flea market for $20 and ordered a couple of rolls in Ilford HP5 when I made it home. Thank you

[@OneMonthTwoCameras]

How wonderful!! Enjoy!!

[@NeverToBeSeenAgain]

I am glad to see other film photographers feel the same way as me about having expensive gear. Ironically though, I sold all my cameras and the one I replaced them all with was an Auto S3. Granted, I was stepping down from an Xpan, Ricoh GR1, and a large spotmatic kit.

[@OneMonthTwoCameras]

Ugh I love the Auto S3. If that's what you downgraded to, you're in amazing shape :P

[@NeverToBeSeenAgain]

@@OneMonthTwoCameras I really think you can't go wrong with ANY Konica rangefinder. Konica just had the sauce. I do have 2 other cameras, a Pentax K1000 SE and a Pentax Espio 24EW. but I do 90% of my shooting with the Auto S3. The K1000 is my low light camera and the Espio is for when I am too lazy to use the Konica.

[@OneMonthTwoCameras]

@@NeverToBeSeenAgain completely agree on Konica. They nailed it with their cameras and are (thankfully) still pretty undervalued.

[@matthewd.lawrence5003]

I agree with you; I shoot digital...moved back to the Pentax system (best move ever for me). However, I am an Old Film Camera junky... I love my RB67, Fed 2 and my Konica IIIA out of my 16 plus, growing film camera collection. Hating the cost of film - but I have to have it.

[@OneMonthTwoCameras]

I can totally appreciate and relate :)

[@kiwipics]

How about trying the Olympus Trip 35 for one of your old camera tests / reviews. A camera just doesn't get any easier to use.

[@OneMonthTwoCameras]

I’ve always wanted to give that camera a go!

[@shutterslaps4938]

Great review 👌 love the Konica gear, the “Konica recorder” has quickly become one of my favourite film cameras. And you’re right, there’s very little info and reviews on Konica / Minolta…. The up shot is that we get great cameras at a fraction of what they should cost 🎉 Very interested to hear about the Fuji s5 👏👏 sounds awesome 👍

[@OneMonthTwoCameras]

The Fuji is a beast! Can't wait to review it after this next couple weeks. And absolutely on Konica and Minota. I find old Minoltas selling for literal pennies, and they're great cameras!

[@cliffterpher]

Wonderful video - love your images (as you tell from IG!). Also love Pentax & Olympus. Using SLR lenses on Olympus digital mirrorless cameras is the best things ever!!

[@OneMonthTwoCameras]

AHHH THANK YOU!! And could not agree with you more :)

[@GRJN013]

Decided to buy the Konica after watching you! Just bought it off eBay. All my other film cameras are Minolta, but I reckon it'll complement my collection well

[@OneMonthTwoCameras]

I hope you will love it as much as I do!!

[@MichelleTanz]

Hi! i really curious what film do u use in this video? It came out exactly what I love

[@OneMonthTwoCameras]

I shot a few different stocks in this video but mostly Lomo 100 and Portra 400

[@onjjjjjjjj]

is this the same with Konica C35 'Flashmatic'?

[@mushaboom8695]

Great review! Very well presented- keep up the great work!

[@OneMonthTwoCameras]

Thank you so much!

[@peytchuuu]

The reason why your photos are slightly off to the left is because the view finder is situated to the left of the lens as well. Unlike other film cameras where their view finders are just above the lens. I kinda figured it out because I also noticed that some of my photos were a little off to the left as well. 🙂

[@OneMonthTwoCameras]

Yes rangefinders do generally shift left but I was surprised I didn't seem to be compensating as I normally do. That said it is fairly minimal and not such a bother but interesting you found the same thing!

[@VirtualGuth]

Very refreshing content! There are definitely plenty of inexpensive, unheralded gems out there just waiting to be used again. Though it is hard for me to think of Minolta as an underdog as they were my favorite back in the 70's. (Yes, I am old.) I'm shocked at the prices the T4 is bringing today. I still have one that I bought new in 2001 as a fun backup/alternative. I haven't used it much and should sell it, but would likely feel guilty given the reasons you've noted. Such cameras are just not good investments.

[@OneMonthTwoCameras]

Totally agree that it is wild to think of Minolta as an underdog. My father was a professional photographer and I remember how hot the brand was when I was a little one. So cool that you have these great experiences with these cameras, and still have some in your collection.

[@TimDobbs]

Just came across your channel .. really enjoyed this video very fresh and almost spontaneous review .. a definite subscribe, keep it up ... Thanks

[@OneMonthTwoCameras]

Thanks so much Tim! Appreciate it!

[@NPJensen]

Better late than never... Regarding Minolta DSLRs... I find that the Sony A-mount cameras have kept so much of the Minolta AF design after Sony took over, that to me it feels like I'm using a Minolta with a Sony "sticker" on it, when I'm shooting with something like the Sony A200 or even the A58. Oh, and the A200 is equipped with a CCD sensor... Minolta 35mm rangefinders is where it started for me, so finding so much Minolta in Sony A-mount cameras was wonderful, I thought.

[@laszlomarton9966]

Hi, Which are the best films to use with this Konica? Thank you 🙏🏻

[@OneMonthTwoCameras]

Film stock is so subjective by I myself love some of what were traditionally more of the drugstore stocks like Superia 400, Kodak Gold, Ultramax, etc.

[@Maartenols]

11:16 Time and priority are two different things ;)

[@petepictures]

Yea, C 35 doesn't have parallax compensation, but they are cute. I prefer the Olympus 35 RC and Canon QL 17. But I don't really shoot with them, I enjoy the SLR's more. Hi from S Africa

[@OneMonthTwoCameras]

Hello! Great cameras you mention.

[@UlyssesGrantParm]

Very cool video and camera. And I couldn't agree more about the character of the images--your shots definitely have a great vibe! Also, thank you kindly for the shout out and for recommending Nico's Photo News. What a cool channel that is!

[@OneMonthTwoCameras]

My pleasure!!

[@dorofeyaa]

Much appreciated !!

[@bjon.andrei]

hello. does konica c35 flashmatic still work without battery?? hope you'll answer thank you so much

[@OneMonthTwoCameras]

No it is fully electronic and requires a battery.

[@sebvz89]

you can shutter but only at a speed of 1/30

[@minka6]

I agree with all except with the fact that Mamiya 7 will eventually break ;-) NEVER

[@OneMonthTwoCameras]

😂 I will personally come and repair it if it ever does

[@minka6]

@@OneMonthTwoCameras amazing. I love this review, I am nearly convinced to buy it except I am so bad at shooting 35mm film. it takes so long to finish a roll. who is filming this? looks so good!

[@OneMonthTwoCameras]

@@minka6 thank you! Just me filming and editing. Amateur but fun!

[@davymike761]

Jamie Lee Curtis shoots with one.

[@OneMonthTwoCameras]

Really?!?!

[@davymike761]

@@OneMonthTwoCameras Yep, just sent you some links on IG.

[@OneMonthTwoCameras]

@@davymike761 thanks! Will check it out!!