Konica Autoreflex A (1968–1971)

The Konica Autoreflex A is a 35mm SLR that Konica built between 1968 and 1971. It belongs to the company's influential Autoreflex line.

The big feature is shutter-priority automation. You pick the shutter speed on the dial atop the camera. The center-weighted, through-the-lens meter reads the light and sets the correct aperture on whatever Konica AR-mount Hexanon lens is mounted. Full manual control is there whenever you want it. The camera's own manual calls it a "35 mm SLR equipped with focal plane shutter and built-in CdS meter for automatic exposure determination," and the meter coupling range runs from 1/15 to 1/500 second. The slower speeds are the yellow digits on the dial, B through 1/8, and they are not coupled to the automatic system.

Shutter speeds run from 1 to 1/1000 second plus B. X-sync for electronic flash goes up to 1/125, and M-sync for flashbulbs goes up to 1/500. The viewfinder is an eye-level pentaprism. The camera takes standard 35mm film in 20- or 36-exposure cartridges and makes 24 × 36 mm frames. The meter runs on two 1.35v PX675 mercury cells. Those are the old kind, so a modern user will need a replacement or an adapter.

Surviving information on this model is thin. The secondary record disagrees on whether the A kept the self-timer and depth-of-field preview from the T. Sources also conflict on the top shutter speed, with some saying 1/500 and others 1/1000. Camerapedia and buhla.de confirm 1/1000, so that is the figure used here. No original price, dimensions, or kit-lens specifications have surfaced, and no period reviews of the A specifically have been located.

Known specs at a glance:

Type: 35mm SLR, focal-plane shutter, built-in CdS meter
Lens mount: Konica AR
Exposure: Shutter-priority automatic (meter coupling 1/15–1/500) plus full manual
Shutter: 1–1/1000 sec + B; X-sync to 1/125, M-sync to 1/500
Viewfinder: Eye-level pentaprism
Film: 35mm cartridge, 20 or 36 exposures; 24 × 36 mm frame
Meter battery: Two 1.35v PX675 mercury cells
Production: 1968–1971