Nikon Nikonos V vs. Konica Genba Kantoku

In today’s episode, Simon and I take out two particularly rugged cameras for a comparative review in New York City. On the one hand, we have the Konica Genba Kantoku which Bellamy Hunt had recently promoted in our episode of Talking Cameras and which was originally created for site supervisors at Japanese construction sites. On the other hand, we have the Nikon Nikonos V, an underwater camera which is primarily directed at divers who need to operate the camera with gloves and mask in the deep blue sea.
Both cameras have quite a cult following by now and are used not just for their original purposes but also as everyday rugged point and shoots. As a case in point, while walking around Williamsburg a young woman passed us carrying the exact same Nikonos V camera in its most common orange color. Looking the camera up on Instagram results in plenty of images of surfers using the camera at sea. In a similar fashion, the Genba Kantoku has become a rugged street photography alternative and its colorful versions are especially sought out as flashy accessories as well.
To better understand this trend and have something rugged at hand to protect ourselves from a rough, cold New York City in early December, we took the two cameras out and shot a roll of Cinestill 400D with the Nikonos and some Kodak ProImage 100 and Ilford FP4+ with the Konica. Let’s take a closer look at the two cameras and how they performed.
Gear used:
Nikon Nikonos V with 35mm f/2.5 Nikkor lens
Konica Genba Kantoku 35WB
Films used:
Cinestill 400D
Kodak ProImage 100
Ilford FP4+
Simon's work on Instagram:
/ sjmgarnier
If you enjoy our videos and like to follow us on Instagram, find us here: / analog_insights

[@coasttocoastphoto]

I purchased a new Nikonos V back in the 80’s and kept it for about 10 years. I’m a Divemaster and had a boat in Charleston and used it under water probably a hundred times. I also used it for pool, beach, surfing and skiing pictures. It worked very well, but the lack of autofocus underwater meant there would be some missed images at depth in low light and minimal visibility. I did have a Nikonos strobe attached. Overall though, it worked very well. I mostly kept it on the boat for photos of whatever came up like a good sunset or an interesting subject in the harbor. The camera was very rugged, but you had to be careful to keep the o-rings greased. If some of you are looking to buy this camera today, the first thing to look for is corrosion. Flooding was a constant threat with salt water being the ever-present peril. It’s a very easy to use camera with simple and well-designed controls. I still have some fantastic pictures of friends on the water, and several that I took on land in the house that are my favorites. I later sold the camera and got a Nikon 8008, which had AF, and I put it in a Stromm housing which allowed use of the above mentioned strobe. This set up was more cumbersome, but it worked better under water. I wish I still had the V, and I run into them on occasion in my travels. One thing to be aware of is that not all the lenses in the series are designed to work on land. My overall experience with the V was that it was a lot of fun, took great pictures and could be used in any environment. The V would be a great camera for Burning Man so long as you could manage to keep the dust out of it during film changes. Thanks for posting the video; it brought back a lot of memories.

[@SimonGarnier]

Yes, we forgot to mention that not all lenses are suitable for land use. Thanks for catching that. As for Burning Man (or any big festival for that matter), I would probably take the Genba Kontaku with me. Much lighter to carry around all day and the flash is a real help in darker situations. However, the lens is obviously not of the same caliber in terms of quality.

[@wcwendychapman]

Do all of the V's have lenses that work on land? Thank you.

[@Tenskwatawa4U]

How well does the strobe perform underwater? I have zero underwater experience, but I imagined that particulate matter underwater would scatter and reflect the light of the flash in all directions, obscuring the actual subject(s) before much light got to the subject(s).

[@coasttocoastphoto]

​@@Tenskwatawa4U It depends on several factors such as depth, amount of light, and turbidity. Without a strobe, in order to see colors in your photographs, I would think that you would be diving or snorkeling on a sunny day in shallow depths. Sunlight falls off quickly once it enters water. Without a strobe, a tropical fish will appear more blue. With a strobe, with good technique, and with close attention payed to the exposure triangle, artificial light will make the photo appear lifelike. In low visibility conditions, it is necessary to get closer to your subject such as small aquarium sized fish swimming around an artificial reef. I had the 35mm lens which is suitable for land or water shots. Most of the exotic shots in the magazines were done in clear water with the 15mm lens where a full body shot and some colorful coral was in the background. At the time this lens was selling new, it cost about $1500. I remember running into a lady at B&H who was from Madagascar who was inquiring about buying this lens. She likely had much better visibility where she was diving than I did off the coast of SC. Most of my diving was done about 10 miles off shore in 60 feet of water where 15 feet of visibility was the norm. If I wanted more visibility, I had to get on a larger boat and head out about 30-40 miles. There, visibility might approach 100 feet on a perfect day. Another solution was to head to Florida. I think a lot of people today are looking at buying a good copy of this camera for street use. I kind of look at it like maybe it’s a 35mm Makina with the Nikon lens attached. On a sunny day, set the aperture to the right zone, and you will be rewarded with nice pictures.

[@robertyoung1777]

Great explanation! I use a Nikonos -V outdoors on rainy days. It is capable of producing good images. If you’re interested in these, my advice is to read the instruction booklet before buying. These are finicky high maintenance cameras. You must: 1. Have the correct lens on the camera (some lenses are underwater only - some are above water only). 2. Lubricate and clean the user serviceable seals. 3. For under water use - have the camera’s internal, non-user serviceable seals maintained by a professional service. I couldn’t find anyone in the USA to service the internal gaskets for me so I use my camera above water. After use, I wipe any moisture off the camera with a microfiber cloth and put it in front of a fan for a few hours to dry it off. It’s a beautiful design that can be used with gloves on. Please don’t buy one and put it in a shelf. Buy it and use the camera or don’t buy it let someone who will actually use the camera have a chance at owning one.

[@user-ul7xm6ge2n]

You are the most safisticated intellectual photographic individual on line..definitely you are from Europe with technicsl background..i am very glad to watch you on line eventhough i know most informations that you share with new generation..i am as old as your dad but still in heart like you young and on top of this game..god bless you,keep up the good job.

[@AnalogInsights]

Thank you for your kind words. I really appreciate it.

[@johnsomers8269]

Great trip and photos! Keep up this wonderful protocol. Thanks!

[@autisticlife]

Thank you for another exellent and interesting video. I nearly bought a Nikonos V in the late 80's when on a holiday and it rained every day. My cameras were suffering in the wet when I saw a Nikonos V for sale, I nearly traded them in for it.

[@alexbemanian]

Loved this video, it was really cool to see these cameras side by side. I love the Nikonos V and III, best all weather film cameras out there!

[@campyonlyguy]

The lens doesn’t have aperture blades, but it uses the shutter to create varying apertures. In bright conditions, the shutter doesn’t open as far, creating a smaller aperture. A similar system is used in the Pentax Auto 110, which uses interchangeable lenses that have not aperture blades. In this way, the camera works well in bright conditions even with fast film, but, as you point out, without the added potential problems associated with delicate aperture mechanisms.

[@SimonGarnier]

This is super interesting. Do you have some resources we can read where this is explained? Max and I looked for it but there is very little on this camera online (at least in English). Thanks in advance.

[@matsfagerberg6499]

@@SimonGarnier I think he's probably right. Lots of (most actually) point and shoots use this kind of combined shutter/aperture system. If the Konica will let you trip the shutter with the back open you can easily check this shooting into a light.

[@SimonGarnier]

@@matsfagerberg6499 I'm sure you're both right. I just had a hard time finding any technical information on that camera and missed that bit of information.

[@jw48335]

I just purchased the Genba Zoom and put my 1st roll through it. I also own a WP-1 and a Fujica HD. The WP is my 8yo daughter's favorite😊 I tend to believe these rugged cameras will have a longer life than other classes of electronic film cameras.

[@SimonGarnier]

I agree with you. Besides having a practically unbreakable body, the electronics is well protected from dusts and moisture inside these weatherproof camera. I wouldn’t be surprised if my Genba outlasts any of my other electronically controlled cameras.

[@louiscarey2941]

The dynamic depth of field markers in the nikkor 35mm 2.5 really help with scale focusing and that lens is reputed to be the same as the same design as the rangefinder nikons, All the nikonos have a unique feel and elicit the strange feeling that you need to protect things from the camera rather than the other way around, they are like carrying a metal brick, with possibly the exception of the nikonos ii which is really quite petite compared with the others and despite being completely manual my favourite of the genre.

[@SimonGarnier]

Yes, I have the same feeling about my Nikonos V. I sometimes have to protect myself against it if I don't want to get bruises when I casually sling it around my shoulder :-)

[@shoefantasia1412]

Had one of those Konica’s a while back; it is really reminiscent of the Konica Hexar AF, with less features of course.

[@av8bvma513]

The UW-Nikkor 80mm F4.0 lens is also outstanding, an excellent partner to the UW-Nikkor 35mm F2.5 as both are corrected for in and out of the water. All the other UW-Nikkors are underwater only. (they work out of the water, but the focus scales are set for the refractive index of water and not accurate in air.)

[@AndrewWertheimer]

Nice video. I also got a Konica after JCH suggested it. It is fun and small , but it is noisy and you are spot on about how it will refuse to take photos often. Nikonos is amazing. Smart idea to enjoy both in NYC in winter. Have a goodSpring.

[@markorchard2272]

Great video as always, but I'd go crazy in NYC without a more versatile camera.

[@SimonGarnier]

Don’t worry, Max came on this trip well equipped: kzbin.info/www/bejne/lXLJlnaLbZJ4qMU

[@GonzoTheRosarian]

Their photos did not lack versatility nor artistry 😊

[@alistairmerrifield5035]

I’ve got a V and III. I take the V out diving, it’s working fine so far. I prefer the orange… easy to see if I drop it (although I keep it leashed to myself).

[@chrisbone7149]

Thank you, Max, for another super interesting video. I have been thinking about looking for a Nikonos V for a while now and this review might have tipped me over the edge. We have a trip later in the summer where it would be very useful.

[@GeraldFigal]

I have both the Nikonos III and the same green V. I took the III to Hawaii last spring and had great fun in the surf with it (until getting hit in the back with a surfboard!) I’m thinking of taking the V to Boston this weekend is the rainy forecast prevails.

[@kimc5750]

An excellent video!

[@AlexanderHernandez-sb7lq]

I have the 28mm version of the konica

[@av8bvma513]

17:20 As it says in the user manual, the lens can be mounted 'upside-down' to make reading and setting the scales easier.

[@Tenskwatawa4U]

I can't stand any device that talks to me. It just freaks me out. CAMERAS SHOULD BE "SCENE", NOT HEARD. I love this channel; it's like free Valium!

[@michaelcase8574]

The exterior view finder for the Nikonos is nice for street photos since it has zone focus anyway. I think the Nikonos has the same metal vertical shutter as the the Nikormat. Don't quote me on that though.

[@AustenGoldsmithPhotography]

I have had 3 Nikonos V cameras . the one I have was actually brand new in the box and the lens! The light meter has failed on all of them . my nikonos days are over .

[@av8bvma513]

10:34 Ooops! The internals, the shutter and wind and release, all mechanical and electronics, are from the NIKON EM.

[@shutterlag192]

These are very different but had both and enjoyed both. Nikonos is a work of art and such a good camera, but cameras for me are almost always a part of some other activity. Because of this weight matters. The nikonos started to always get left behind. Sold them both though cuz film is too rich for me these days.

[@inahaase889]

Schöne NY Impressionen, guter Kamera Vergleich.❤

[@jean-claudemuller3199]

comparing apple with apple would have been taking the Nikon 35 AWAF in place of the Nikonos

[@GAUROCH2]

As much as praised, the Nikonos was just a copy / evolution from the french Calypso Phot camera!!! The Calypso adopted the forward placed winding lever action from the swiss Alpa!

[@bradl2636]

So which ONE do you prefer as a walk-around vs swim around?

[@AnalogInsights]

Probably the Konica for walk-around and the Nikonos for swim-around.

[@Seapatico]

I just cannot fathom the design choice of creating a camera that can't take an exposure brighter than f3.5 at 1/250. Like, why not at least give it a 5.6? Or even better, f8? I really can't imagine.

[@markorchard2272]

They were aimed mainly at construction workers (often working in low-light I'm guessing) so an aperture of f5.6/8 would be a bit un welcome I 'imagine'.

[@SimonGarnier]

@@markorchard2272 is correct, this camera wasn’t meant for the general public. It was designed with one purpose in mind: document progress on construction sites. Simplicity and extreme robustness were the primary design target. We’re just “misusing” it in this video :-)

[@campyonlyguy]

The lens doesn’t have aperture blades, but it instead uses the shutter to create an aperture (like the Pentax Auto 110). I did a test with my Genba Kantoku 28 HG, and it definitely creates a smaller aperture (and uses a faster shutter speed) in bright conditions. The shutter blades don’t open as far as in dim light. So yes, you can use 400 ASA film on a bright day, which makes sense, because even 100 ASA film would be overexposed on a sunny day at 1/250th (which would need f11 to be properly exposed).

[@Seapatico]

@@campyonlyguy Well THAT'S wild! I can't believe I've never heard of this. I'll now spend too long researching it.

[@manuelkneuttinger1795]

apples n onions....

[@flyingcutless]

If you are going to use these camera on what they are based on, the video or episode on this is pointless. You may as well talk about lenses from this era .

[@PedroSilva-zi7in]

Just recently bought a Nikonos IV and I am in love with this concrete brick that I’ve been carrying out 🫶