Introduction
I was undecided on which of two titles to give this post and so, in the end, I gave it both! I will explain. I must warn you that my explanation is a little convoluted. Stick with me!
It had been my intention to conclude my mini-series of articles on half-frame photography and possible savings on film costs with a review of the Konica Auto-Reflex SLR. I will go into detail later. This camera was introduced in 1965 and had the unique distinction of being able to shoot both full frame and half-frame images on the same roll of film. It was also arguably the first camera to allow automatic exposure. To achieve this, it incorporated a CDS cell powered by a 1.35 volt mercury battery Mercury batteries are banned and although there are a variety of alternatives, the only one that I know of is to use a ‘WeinCell’ which are not particularly cheap.
Having done my homework, I realised that Konica also produced the Auto-Reflex P, which was ostensibly the same camera but lacking the automatic exposure function and was therefor battery free. I decided to try and obtain an Auto-Reflex P. Little did I know that these are rarer than the original Auto Reflex!
I located one in Japan and awaited its arrival with more than a little excitement only to find that the shutter and film advance locked up solid after about five frames. That was returned and a full refund provided. (However, I was till out of pocket for the customs duty and shipping costs.)
I found a second model in Japan which I at least managed to shoot a test roll of film with before it too locked up. To be honest, the film advance had sounded like it was grinding and I wasn’t surprised that it failed. That too was returned with the same loss of customs duty and shipping costs. On this occasion, the seller was profusely apologetic and sent me a replacement. Let’s just say that he was creative with the customs valuation thereby reducing the pain somewhat. This one a good example.
Before I could write up my thoughts on the AutoReflex P, I spotted an advert for an Auto-Reflex from a Greek seller. Let’s just say that it appeared to be in excellent condition at a price I was happy to pay. I now have examples of the Auto-Reflex and the Auto Reflex P to witter on about in this post.
With both of these cameras you get a machine that will shoot full-frame or half-frame. Hence two for the price of one. As a dubious bonus, you, dear reader, get two review instead of one!
What’s in a Name?
There were different versions of the Auto-Reflex for different markets. Technically, all versions are identical, only the engravings differ. In Japan, the Konica Auto-Reflex was sold as the Konica Autorex. The Auto-Reflex was distributed in Germany by external Foto-Quelle under their own brand name Revue. Similarly, the Konica Auto-Reflex P was marketed as the Autorex P in Japan and the Revue SP in Germany.
Just to confuse the issue, the models I will be discussing here are the Revue Auto-Reflex and the Konica Autorex P.
Revue Auto-Reflex (German version of the Konica Auto-Reflex)
The original Konica Auto-Reflex was produced between 1965 and 1968.
The only difference between models for the different markets are as follows:
1. The frame size switch on the Revue version is marked with ’24×36′ and ’18×24′ instead of ‘Full’ and ‘Half’.
2. The override switch on the shutter speed dial is only marked by an arrow on the Revue. The word override is shown on the other versions.
The Revue versions came with 52mm/F1.8 or 57mm/F1.4 standard lenses They were engraved with ‘Hexanon’ only. The word Konica appears on other models. The original lenses on the Revue models only had metric distance scales. I should point out that my Revue Auto-Reflex is fitted with a later 52mm/f1.8 lens.
With the introduction of the Auto-Reflex SLRs series the lens mount of all their cameras was changed to accommodate the linkage needed to operate the lens aperture. Officially, the new mount was called Konica Bayonet Mount II, but it is more commonly called AR bayonet or K/AR mount.
The Auto-Reflex and the rarer, meter-less companion the Konica Auto-Reflex P are the only models with “Auto-Reflex” as separate hyphenated words. As previously mentioned, these are also the only two SLRs that ever offered a choice of full-frame or half-frame, switched by a lever on top of the camera. The frame size can be changed between 24×36 landscape and 18×24 portrait in mid-roll.
The Auto-Reflex has the meter sensor mounted on the front, right-hand side of the camera. This is not TTL metering, although it does offer a shutter priority, auto-exposure mode. The camera can also be shot using manual settings.
The Auto-Reflex is extremely sturdily built and by today’s standards, I consider it heavy. Despite having said that, I found that it was pleasant to use. It will withstand all but the most serious rough handling.
The viewfinder is very bright and the selected aperture is shown on the right hand side. When switched to half-frame mode, two triangular pointers drop down in the viewfinder as a reminder. Two feint lines indicate the half-frame boundary.
The Auto-Reflex’s light meter range (EV2 to EV18 at 100 ISO) is rather modest. To compensate for this, the shutter speed dial has a manual override button for when lighting conditions require exposure settings that exceed the range of the light meter. The film ISO can be set from ISO 12 to ISO 800 by lifting the dial on the front right of the camera and rotating it to the desired setting by aligning it with a red triangle mark. Shutter speeds are set by rotating the dial on the front right of the camera.
Aperture setting and focusing of the Hexanon lens is quite conventional. However, in addition to the f stop numbers, there is a further setting marked ‘EE’ (Electronic Eye). On later Hexanon lenses, this was changed to ‘AE’ (Automatic Exposure). I must say that from my limited experience of Hexanon lenses, they are very good, so much so that I have bought an adapter to allow them to be mounted on my digital camera.
Specification and Features
| Type: | Automatic 35mm single lens reflex camera |
| Image size: | 24 x 36 mm or 24 x 18 mm Format can be changed anytime, mid-roll |
| Film: | 135 (35mm) cassettes |
| Lens mount: | Konica bayonet II, AR mount |
| Shutter: | Vertically travelling metal focal plane shutter Copal Square-S |
| Shutter speeds: | B, 1 sec – 1/1000 sec in constant progression |
| Flash synch: | X-Synch: 1/125 sec with electronic flash, 1/30 s with type F flash bulbs M-Synch: all shutter speeds with flash bulbs of types M or FP Connection with PC-port only, no hot shoe contact |
| Self timer: | Variable from 4 s up to max. 9 s |
| Viewfinder: | Pentaprism eye-level finder with upright, unreversed image Mat screen with central microprism spot and framing lines for half size 24 x 18 mm |
| Viewfinder indications: | Light meter needle shows metered aperture value at actual shutter speed Warning indicators for overexposure (with any lens) and underexposure (with F1.4 lens) Index mark for battery test Marks for half size 24 x 18 mm |
| Mirror: | Fully automatic instant-return mirror Mirror lock-up function with self timer |
| Exposure control: | Fully automatic exposure control |
| Light meter: | Metering with 1 external CdS-cell (Metering not through the lens) Sensitivity range exposure values EV 2 – EV 18 with ISO 100/21° Metering angle 26° vertical and 34° horizontal |
| Power supply: | 1 piece 1.35 V mercury oxyde battery type PX625 |
| Film speed settings: | ISO 12 – ISO 800 |
| Exposure lock: | The metered aperture is locked when slightly depressing the shutter release |
| Film loading: | Konica EL system (in USA called Insta-Grip) |
| Film transport: | Single-stroke lever with 190° travel and 10° play transports film and cocks shutter simultaneously. Equipped with double-exposure prevention. |
| Film counter: | Automatcally resets with opening of camera back Counts up to 39 frames. When camera is set to half size 24 x 18 mm, the counter only travels with every second frame. |
| Rewinding: | Foldable rewind crank Rewind release button self-locks when actuating the transport lever |
| Other features: | Depth-of-field preview lever closes aperture on mounted lens Marking of film plane on camera body Battery test switch 1/4″ tripod socket |
| Weight (without lens): | 675 g (approx. 233/4 oz) |
| Dimensions (without lens): | Width x height x depth: 145,5 x 94,5 x 45 mm (approx. 53/4″ x 33/4″ x 13/4″) |
Examples of Half-Frame Images
Revue Auto-Reflex, Hexanon 52mm/f1.8 lens, XP2 Supers hot at ISO 100, HC-110 developer V600 scan.
Examples of Full-Frame Images
Revue Auto-Reflex, Hexanon 52mm/f1.8 lens, XP2 Super shot at ISO 100, HC-110 developer V600 scan.
The Konica Auto-Reflex P
The Konica Auto-Reflex P was released in 1966 is a stripped-down Auto-Reflex without light meter and is therefore purely manual exposure. It was originally offered at a lower priced alternative to the Auto-Reflex. In Japan it was sold as Autorex P and in Germany as the Revue SP, marketed by Foto Quelle. My model is the Japanese Autorex P
As it is fully mechanical it does not require batteries which is what attracted me to this model in the first instance. The shutter speeds are controlled by a knob that replaced the meter sensor on the right front of the Auto-Reflex. Speeds are the same: 1s to 1/1000s and B, and up to 1/125 electronic flash sync.
As with the Auto-Reflex, the frame size can be switched between 24×36mm landscape and 18×24mm portrait, even mid-roll. At this point, I suppose that I should point out that swapping film formats mid roll would probably cause processing labs to suffer a fit! That is, always assuming that you can find a lab willing to process half-frame negatives in this day and age.
Unless the user requires a lab to print the negatives, it may be preferable to have them develop the film and specify that it should be returned uncut into strips. The user can then home-scan there negatives.
The Revue version came with a Hexanon 52mm /f1.8 standard lens designated Hexanon only (without Konica). This lens had only metric distance scales. Aperture setting and focusing of the Hexanon lens is quite conventional. However, there is no ‘EE’ mark on the original lenses as without automatic exposure, it is unnecessary.
As with the Auto-Reflex, the viewfinder is bright but the selected aperture is NOT shown. When switched to half-frame mode, two triangular pointers drop down in the viewfinder as a reminder. Two feint lines indicate the half-frame boundary.
There was a special accessory light meter offered for use with the P models but I have never seen one for sale. I understand that all versions of these models were only offered in matte chrome finish.
As this model sold in far less quantities than the model with the built-in light meter, the Auto-Reflex P is rarer today and often sells at a higher price, even though it was the cheaper model when new.
If you are a prospective buyer of an Auto-Reflex P, I would urge you to take note of the issues that I had obtaining a good working model, It goes without saying that customs duty and shipping can add considerably add to the cost. Yes, I admit it! Custom duties are a particular hate of mine!
Specification and Features
| Type: | Manual 35mm single lens reflex camera |
| Image size: | 24 x 36 mm or 24 x 18 mm (half format) Size change possible anytime, mid-roll |
| Film: | Standard 135 mm (35mm) film cassettes |
| Lens mount: | Konica bayonet II, diameter 47 mm , flange-film distance 40.5 mm Without coupling for widest aperture of mounted lens |
| Shutter: | Vertically travelling metal focal plane shutter Copal Square-S Single, non-rotating speed setting dial |
| Shutter speeds: | B, 1 sec – 1/1000 sec |
| Flash synch: | X-Synch: 1/125 s with electronic flash, 1/30 s with type F flash bulbs M-Synch: all shutter speeds with flash bulbs of types M or FP Connection with PC-port only, no hot shoe contact |
| Self timer: | Variable from 4 s up to max. 9 s |
| Viewfinder: | Pentaprism eye-level finder with upright, unreversed image Mat screen with central microprism spot and framing lines for half size 24 x 18 mm |
| Viewfinder indications: | Marks for half-frame 24 x 18 mm |
| Mirror: | Fully automatic instant-return mirror Mirror lock-up function with self timer |
| Exposure control: | Fully manual |
| Light meter: | None but coupled accessory CdS light meter Konica Light Meter available |
| Film loading: | Konica EL system (in USA called Insta-Grip) |
| Film transport: | Single-stroke lever with 190° travel and 10° play transports film and cocks shutter simultaneously. Equipped with double-exposure prevention. |
| Film counter: | Automatcally resets with opening of camera back Counts up to 39 frames. When camera is set to half size 24 x 18 mm, the counter only travels with every second frame. |
| Rewinding: | Foldable rewind crank Rewind release button self-locks when actuating the transport lever |
| Other features: | Depth-of-field preview lever closes aperture on mounted lens Film speed reminder dial on back door 1/4″ tripod socket |
| Weight (without lens): | 685 g (approx. 1 lb 81/8 oz) |
| Dimensions (without lens): | Width x height x depth: 145,5 x 94,5 x 45 mm (approx. 53/4″ x 33/4″ x 13/4″) |
Examples of Half-Frame Images
Konica Autorex P, Hexanon 52mm/f1.8 lens, Kentmere 100 film, HC-110 developer V600 scan.
Examples of Full-Frame Images
Konica Autorex P, Hexanon 52mm/f1.8 lens, Fomapan 100 film, HC-110 developer V600 scan.
Conclusion
I have to say that I have enjoyed shooting with both of these cameras. They are, in my opinion, very robust if not a little on the heavy side. Both the Revue Auto-Reflex and the Konica Autorex P that I now own are a joy to use. I cannot speak highly enough of the Konica Hexanon glass. I now have several of their lenses. The 40mm/f1.8 Hexanon pancake lens is probably one of the sharpest lenses I have ever owned.
I guess that when released, both models were truly innovative. Konica never seemed to be regarded in the same way that perhaps the likes of Canon and Nikon were which I think was something of a shame. There lenses are beginning to get noticed by various influencers on social media. I anticipate that they will cease to remain the bargains that they currently are!
Useful Resources
buhla.de – Great resource in English and German
konicafiles.com – Another great resource
Konica Auto-Reflex (1965) – mike eckman dot com – Excellent review of the Konica Auto-Reflex
konica_auto-reflex.pdf (cameramanuals.org) – Manual for Konica Auto-Reflex
https://cameramanuals.org/konica/konica_auto-reflex_p-lang.pdf – Manual for Konica Auto-Reflex P