Konica Electron
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| Konica Electron image by David Broglin (Image rights) |
The Konica Electron is a fixed lens 35 mm rangefinder camera introduced by Konica in 1969.
It appears to be an update of the Konica Auto SE Electronic first introduced 1966, sharing some features, general size, shape and appearance. The Electron used the 45mm f1.8 lens of the Auto S2 rather than the 38mm f1.8 lens introduced on the Auto SE that was later used on the Auto S3. The Electron also shared the Auto-Up AS3 (close-up accessory lens) with the Auto S2 and Auto S1.6.
It does not have the hot shoe of the earlier camera and doesn't use the cool wind-up automatic film advance of the Auto SE either.
It is one of the earliest Konica models to offer a socket for Flashcubes.
Notice, too, the dual CdS metering sensors inset into the name plate of the lens... which offer a wider metering range than the earlier model with a single sensor.
It only provide AE program exposure mode, with additional settings to accommodate flash/flash cubes.
Some people speculate that the Electron was designed to be a direct rival of the Yashica Electro 35. The name is similar. The Electron didn't appear to meet as wide success and is not as common as some other Konica rangefinders.
The Konica Electron requires an unusually large, 5.6 volt PX32 battery (obsolete mercury, unknown if there are modern alternatives that will serve). This was probably required to fire flash cubes.
Konica Electron Specification
- 1.8/45 Hexanon lens, 6 elements in 4 groups
- Copal shutter
- Coupled rangefinder
- AE-program exposure control, plus settings for flash/flash cube.
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| PX32 5.6 volt battery required for Electron image by Alan Myers (Image rights) |
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| Electron with flash cube in place image by Alan Myers (Image rights) |
Links
In French:
- Konica Electron (archived) at www.on-photos.net/appareils_anciens (archived)
