Konica Autoreflex

[4][5] In addition, Konica also initially offered a line of Hexanon lenses with preset diaphragm operation, which were optically identical to the preceding Konica F-mount lenses, updated with mechanical interfaces directly compatible with AR-mount cameras.

[7] The Konica AR-mount SLR camera and Hexanon lens lines were discontinued in late 1988.

When the Autoreflex T was introduced in 1967, Konica added a lever to signal the widest aperture setting for the through-the-lens (TTL) in-body light meter; Konica also offered a free service to retrofit the earliest AR-mount lenses with the new lever.

These are also the only two SLRs that ever offered a choice of full- or half-frame exposures, switched by a lever on top of the camera.

TTL auto exposure appeared in a Konica a few years later, with the Autoreflex T (FTA in Japan).

Also, normal lenses sold with the Revue version of this camera were often unlabelled, fitted with a plain finish ring that did not have the Hexanon name on it.

They did continue to market a number of rebadged rangefinder cameras through Wards, however (EEMatic and Auto S models, for example).

The Autoreflex T was the first focal plane shutter 35mm SLR with auto-exposure and TTL metering combined in one body.

The batteries (two PX 675 type mercury cells) were only needed for the CdS light meter.

The back is similar in function to the one offered in 1963 on the Konica FS-W, an F/FS mount camera.

This change shows the improved range of the meter sensitivity, and the override capability was no longer considered necessary.

Although the names T2 or "New" FTA never actually appeared on the outside of the camera, there were references to the model designation in Konishiroku memos and literature at the time.

(Note: In the earlier F/FS mount, Konica has similar screens with matte field and a central micro-diaprism dot, except for the highly valued and rare Konica F which not only had an interchangeable pentaprism, but also had the split image focus assist feature.)

The Autoreflex T3 is an improved Autoreflex T2, It moves the depth-of-field (DOF) preview (aperture-stop-down) function to the self-timer lever (push lever towards lens for stop-down, push button on lever-hub and turn lever counter-clockwise to set the self-timer; the T2 DOF preview function was activated by a single function button located on the lower lens mount, activated by the photographer's right hand), and adds a Multiple Exposure (M.E.)

As with the T2, both the aperture and shutter speed setting are visible in the viewfinder, which has improved brightness compared to earlier models.

The Autoreflex T3"N" or "New" introduces iterative enhancements by replacing the earlier version's accessory hot-shoe with a fixed hot-shoe, adding a viewfinder-ocular shutter, and an optional split-image focusing-screen (that feature being indicated by a round sticker with a large letter "S" and the caption "split image" below the rewind-crank next to the viewfinder ocular on the top back of the camera).

If the Autoreflex T/FTA and T"2"/"New" FTA established Konica SLR as a major and important brand, the T3 and T3"N" took this to a higher level.

Models fitted with the special screen feature had a small silver tag stuck on the back with "S.I."

The final version of focus screen became the standard on all subsequent Konica models (TC, T4, FP-1, FT-1, etc.)

Both are smaller than the earlier Autoreflex bodies, use plastic top plate, but retain a metal frame.

It is still a full-featured, fully mechanical SLR with a CdS TTL light meter and shutter-priority auto-exposure.

The shutter speed range is 1s to 1/1000 and B, and the batteries (two PX625 mercury cells) are only needed for the light meter.

[2] This article was originally based on "Konica Autoreflex" in Camerapedia, retrieved at an unknown date under the GNU Free Documentation License.

Konica Autoreflex TC (1976–1982) [ 1 ]
Mechanical features of Konica AR-mount lenses
Konica Auto-Reflex P w/lens and light meter
FTA (identical to Autoreflex T)
Konica Autoreflex T2 (1970–1973) with Hexanon 57mm F1.2
Autoreflex T3 (1973–1978, T3N included)
Konica Autoreflex TC (1976–1982), with Hexanon -lenses, left legendary Pancake 1,8 [ 15 ] [ 16 ]
Konica TC-X