KONICA AUTOREFLEX T2

The Konica Autoreflex T2 is a 35mm single-lens reflex (SLR) camera introduced in 1970 as an updated version of the original Autoreflex T. It refines Konica's professional-grade SLR system with improved metering, better ergonomics, and reliable mechanical operation for amateur and professional photographers.

Overview

Released in 1970, the Konica Autoreflex T2 was a high-end 35mm SLR in Konica's growing system camera lineup. It succeeded the Autoreflex T (1968) and led to the later Autoreflex T3/T3N models. The T2 combined fully mechanical operation with integrated through-the-lens (TTL) center-weighted metering. It was marketed mainly to advanced amateurs and photojournalists who wanted reliability, lens interchangeability, and manual control.

The Autoreflex T2 kept the mechanical shutter and aperture-priority autoexposure of its predecessor, with several refinements. The big one is a redesigned metering system with a silicon photodiode (SPD) cell, replacing the CdS cell used in earlier models. That gave faster response, better low-light sensitivity, and better long-term reliability. The camera also has a hot shoe with TTL flash synchronization, a self-timer lever moved to the front of the prism housing, and minor ergonomic changes to the film advance lever and shutter speed dial.

Konica's Autoreflex series was the company's answer to Japanese SLR leaders like Nikon, Canon, and Pentax in the late 1960s and early 1970s. The T2 was not exported as widely as some competitors, but it was popular in Europe and Japan. It belonged to a full system that included motor drives, interchangeable viewfinders, and a wide range of Hexanon lenses. The all-metal construction, smooth shutter, and precise build showed Konica's engineering at the time.

Specifications

Specification	Value
Type	35mm Single-Lens Reflex (SLR)
Film Format	35mm (135)
Years Produced	1970–1973
Lens Mount	Konica AR Bayonet Mount
Shutter	Horizontal-travel, cloth focal-plane shutter; speeds from 1 sec to 1/1000 sec, plus B (Bulb)
Metering	TTL, center-weighted silicon photodiode (SPD) metering
Exposure Modes	Aperture-priority automatic exposure, manual exposure
Viewfinder	Fixed pentaprism with microprism collar focusing aid, 0.92x magnification, ~95% coverage
Dimensions	140 mm (W) × 93 mm (H) × 54 mm (D); weight approx. 650 g (body only, no battery)

Key Features

TTL Aperture-Priority AE: One of the earliest SLRs to offer reliable aperture-priority autoexposure with through-the-lens metering, allowing photographers to set the aperture while the camera selected the correct shutter speed.
Silicon Photodiode (SPD) Metering: More responsive and durable than CdS cells, with instant response and no memory effect, improving metering accuracy in rapidly changing light.
Fully Mechanical Shutter at 1/100 sec: Even without battery power, the camera retains a functional 1/100 sec shutter speed and Bulb mode, ensuring usability in case of battery failure.
Interchangeable Focusing Screens: Part of Konica’s modular system, allowing users to swap screens for different focusing needs (e.g., split-image, grid).
Hot Shoe with TTL Flash Sync: Enabled direct connection of flash units with automatic exposure control via the TTL metering system.

Historical Context

The Autoreflex T2 arrived while Japanese manufacturers were rapidly advancing automation and metering. Released in 1970, it competed directly with the Nikon F (with Photomic finder), the Canon FTb, and the Pentax ES. Many rivals still used CdS metering cells. Konica's SPD cell in the T2 responded faster and held up better, particularly in low light, where CdS cells often lagged.

Konica's AR mount was not as widely adopted as the M42 screw mount or Canon's FD, but it offered a good range of Hexanon lenses, including fast primes and zooms. The T2 sat in a broader system that included the motorized Autoreflex T (with motor drive), the professional T3, and accessories like data backs and prism levels. Despite its technical merits, the T2 never matched the global market reach of Pentax or Nikon models, partly because of Konica's limited international marketing and distribution network.

Collectors and vintage camera enthusiasts regard the Autoreflex T2 as one of Konica's finest SLRs. It is well built and innovative. It also advanced aperture-priority automation with TTL metering, which makes it a significant, if underappreciated, step in the evolution of the modern SLR.

Collectibility & Value

Today the Konica Autoreflex T2 is a desirable vintage SLR among collectors, particularly those interested in Japanese engineering from the pre-electronic era. It is not as rare as some limited-production models. Original, fully functional T2 bodies in good cosmetic condition typically sell for between $150 and $300 on the secondary market, depending on included accessories, lens condition, and provenance.

When buying a T2, check that the meter works. It requires a 1.35V mercury battery or a modern substitute with voltage adjustment. Check for smooth shutter operation at all speeds, and inspect the mirror movement and film advance mechanism for wear. Common problems are stiff shutter speeds (from dried lubricants), inaccurate metering (from aging SPD cells or circuit degradation), and deteriorated light seals, which need replacing to prevent light leaks. The camera uses a 1.35V mercury PX625 battery (now obsolete), so users often fit zinc-air substitutes or voltage adapters with modern 1.5V batteries, which may require meter recalibration.

Because of its modular design, original accessories such as motor drives, data backs, and alternative focusing screens add significantly to collectible value. Lenses in the Hexanon series, especially the 52mm f/1.8 and 40mm f/1.8, are prized for their sharpness and smooth bokeh. The T2 is a solid investment for anyone after a historically significant, mechanically sturdy SLR with advanced metering for its time.

Similar Cameras

Pentax ES (1971) – TTL aperture-priority SLR with CdS metering, M42 mount
Canon FX (1964) and FTb (1971) – Early Canon SLRs with TTL metering
Nikon F with DP-11/DP-12 Finder – Professional system camera with modular metering
Minolta SRT-101 (1966) – Legendary SRT series with CLC metering
Topcon RE Super (1963) – High-end Japanese SLR with TTL metering and excellent optics

Repair & Maintenance

The Autoreflex T2 operates mechanically at 1/100 sec and Bulb without batteries, but full metering and aperture-priority functionality require a 1.35V PX625 mercury battery. These are no longer manufactured, so users typically substitute a WeinCell MRB625 (zinc-air) or a modern alkaline PX625 with a voltage-reducing adapter. Failing to regulate the voltage may cause overexposure from meter inaccuracy.

Common maintenance issues include sluggish shutter speeds, which often come from hardened lubricants in the shutter mechanism and call for a professional CLA (clean, lubricate, adjust). The SPD meter cell is generally reliable but can degrade over decades, so replacement or recalibration may be needed. The self-timer and film advance lever are sturdy but should be checked for smooth operation. Light seals should be replaced every 10-15 years to prevent fogging or light leaks. Given the camera's mechanical complexity and age, repair should go to technicians experienced with vintage Japanese SLRs. Spare parts are limited but still available through specialized vintage camera suppliers.