KONICA PEARL II
The Konica Pearl II is a folding medium format rangefinder camera made by Konica (then Konishiroku) between 1952 and 1959. It was built for amateur and enthusiast photographers. It shoots 12 exposures of 6x4.5cm on 120 roll film and carries a Hexar lens.
Overview
Konica introduced the Pearl II in 1952. It came during the company's early shift from optical instrument maker to builder of sophisticated consumer cameras. It belonged to the Pearl series, which aimed to give premium folding camera performance at a lower price than the company's flagship Autoreflex and Hexar models. The Pearl II succeeded the original Pearl and brought refinements in lens quality, rangefinder integration, and build precision. It was marketed mainly to amateurs who wanted high image quality without the bulk of larger format systems, and 6x4.5cm negatives gave it good resolution in a portable package.
The camera uses a collapsible strut-and-lever folding design, so the lens standard retracts into the body for transport. With its leather-covered body and metal fittings, it was a favorite among travelers and street photographers of the era. Unlike TLRs or SLRs, the Pearl II has a direct optical viewfinder with a separate coupled rangefinder patch in the viewfinder housing, which allows accurate manual focusing. 120 film gives 12 exposures per roll - double that of 6x6 TLRs - so shooting is economical and the negative stays large.
In Konica's lineup, the Pearl II sat below the premium Hexar-series rangefinders but shared many of their optical and mechanical traits. Konica kept to quality optics and precise engineering even in its mid-tier models. The camera was made at Konica's Tokyo factory. It dates from the early 1950s, when Japanese manufacturers were starting to challenge European dominance in the high-end camera market.
Specifications
| Specification | Value |
| Type | Rangefinder |
| Film Format | 6x4.5cm on 120 roll film |
| Years Produced | 1952–1959 |
| Lens Mount | Fixed Hexar 75mm f/3.5 lens (non-interchangeable) |
| Shutter | Konica Synchro-Kompass Focal Plane Shutter; speeds 1–1/400 sec, B, X & M flash sync |
| Metering | None (uncoupled light meter required) |
| Exposure Modes | Manual only |
| Viewfinder | Optical viewfinder with superimposed brightline frames and coupled rangefinder patch |
| Dimensions | Approx. 150 x 95 x 55 mm (closed); Weight: ~680 g |
Key Features
- Konica Hexar 75mm f/3.5 Lens: A high-performance, four-element optical design renowned for sharpness, contrast, and smooth bokeh—on par with contemporary Zeiss Tessar designs.
- Coupled Rangefinder Focusing: Integrated patch-type rangefinder enables precise manual focus, a significant upgrade over scale-focusing predecessors.
- Focal Plane Shutter with High Speeds: Offers shutter speeds up to 1/400 sec, rare in folding medium format cameras of the era, allowing greater flexibility in daylight shooting.
- Compact Folding Design: Collapsible body with strut lock makes the camera highly portable when not in use.
- Flash Synchronization: Equipped with both M (medium) and X (electronic) sync terminals, supporting a wide range of flash units for its time.
Historical Context
Konica released the Pearl II at a pivotal time for Japan's photographic industry. In the early 1950s, Japanese manufacturers were adopting and refining German optical designs while improving their mechanical engineering and mass production. The Pearl II was part of Konica's strategy to reach a broader consumer base with a well-built, optically excellent camera at a competitive price. It competed directly with the Minolta Autocord (though a TLR), the Plaubel Makina 67 (more professional), and folding rangefinders from Fujica and Yashica.
Against its contemporaries, the Pearl II stood out for pairing the esteemed Hexar lens with a focal plane shutter. That was uncommon in medium format folders, which typically used leaf shutters with more limited speed ranges. It gave the Pearl II more versatility, especially for available-light photography. It has no built-in exposure meter, a feature still rare in the early 1950s. Its brightline viewfinder and accurate rangefinder made composing and focusing intuitive.
The camera was well received in domestic and export markets, particularly North America and Europe, where Japanese cameras were gaining credibility for quality and value. By the late 1950s, though, 35mm cameras and the growing popularity of SLRs were eroding the market for folding medium format cameras. Konica discontinued the Pearl II in 1959 and shifted to 35mm rangefinders and, later, SLRs.
Collectibility & Value
Today the Konica Pearl II is a sought-after collector's item, especially among fans of vintage Japanese rangefinders and medium format film systems. Well-preserved examples with a clear rangefinder patch, smooth shutter operation, and clean lens elements typically sell for between $400 and $700 on the secondary market. Mint-condition units occasionally exceed $800. Rarity is moderate. It isn't as scarce as some limited-production European models, but it was not made in the volumes of later 35mm cameras, and many units have deteriorated leather, sticky shutters, or fogged rangefinder windows.
When buying a Pearl II, check several things. Run the shutter through all speeds and note any inconsistencies or dragging. Check the rangefinder alignment, since misalignment makes accurate focusing impossible. Inspect the lens for fungus, haze, or separation. The folding strut mechanism should lock securely when open and collapse smoothly without play. Light seals are invariably degraded and should be replaced to make the camera light-tight. Original accessories, such as the case, lens cap, or instruction manual, add significant value.
Because of its mechanical complexity and age, functional examples are increasingly rare. Cameras stored in humid environments often show mold or corrosion on internal components. As with most pre-1960 Japanese cameras, repair takes specialized knowledge, and few technicians today are familiar with focal plane shutters in medium format folders.
Similar Cameras
- Minolta Autocord III – A 6x6 TLR with excellent Minolta Sexton lenses, produced 1958–1961.
- Fujica Six II – Folding 6x6 rangefinder with 80mm f/3.5 EBC Fujinon lens, 1958–1961.
- Yashica 635 – 6x4.5 folding camera with Yashinon 75mm f/3.5 lens, scale focusing (non-rangefinder).
- Plaubel Makina 67 – High-end 6x7 folding camera with exceptional optics and build, targeted at professionals.
- Kowa Six Model 2 – 6x6 TLR with high-quality Kowa Prominar lens, known for compact design and sharp optics.
Repair & Maintenance
The Konica Pearl II is fully mechanical and needs no batteries. Shutter operation and film advance are manual, driven by the film transport mechanism. The most common problems are stiff or inconsistent shutter speeds (often from dried lubricants), misaligned rangefinders, and light leaks from deteriorated internal seals. The focal plane shutter is delicate and should only be serviced by a technician experienced in vintage Japanese cameras. Cleaning the lens and rangefinder prism is possible with proper tools, but disassembling the optical block is not recommended without expertise. Regular use, dry storage, and periodic CLA (clean, lubricate, adjust) servicing are essential for long-term reliability.
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