Konica Pearl IV
A Japanese-domestic-market-only 6×4.5cm folding medium format camera with linked exposure controls and a 75mm f/3.5 Hexar lens
Overview
The Konica Pearl IV, originally released by Konishiroku, is a 6×4.5cm folding medium format camera using 120 roll film. Marketed exclusively in Japan, it's a rangefinder with a linked shutter speed and aperture system (LV system) that simplifies exposure settings. Only 4,000 to 5,000 units were built, making it a rare and sought-after model. The camera features a 75mm f/3.5 Hexar lens with a 30.5mm filter thread, and its shutter button is located on the front door—a design noted by users as unconventional. Despite this quirk, the Pearl IV is praised for its solid build quality, impressive viewfinder, and enjoyable handling.
Specifications
| Format | 6×4.5cm (645) medium format, 120 roll film |
| Lens | 75mm f/3.5 Hexar |
| Filter thread | 30.5mm |
| Dimensions | 127 x 108 x 50 mm |
| Weight | 715g vs 709g |
| Exposure control | Speed and aperture linked (LV system) |
| Shutter button location | On the front door |
Design
The Konica Pearl IV is a folding rangefinder camera, constructed to compactly house its 75mm f/3.5 Hexar lens and 120 film transport. The LV system links shutter speed and aperture, reducing the complexity of exposure selection. The shutter button is mounted on the front door, a distinctive placement that affects handling but is part of the camera’s original design.
Context
The Konica Pearl IV was a short-lived, Japanese-domestic-market-only model, produced in limited numbers—between 4,000 and 5,000 units. It competed in a niche market alongside models like the Ensign Autorange 820 and the Takane Mine Six. Described in a review title as "The Last, Best 645 Folder,"
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