Difference between revisions of "Konica SF"

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{{Japanese medium format SLR}}
 
{{Japanese medium format SLR}}
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The '''Konica SF''' (コニカSF) is a 4.5×6 [[SLR]] camera made as a prototype by [[Konica|Konishiroku]] in the second half of the 1960s.
  
The '''Konica SF''' (コニカSF) is a 4.5&times;6 [[SLR]] camera made as a prototype by [[Konica|Konishiroku]] in 1967.<REF> Date: Hishida, p.&nbsp;81 of {{KKS}} no.&nbsp;10. However, Lewis, p.&nbsp;125, says 1958. </REF> It has exchangeable film backs for 15<!-- yes, 15 --> frames on 120 or 30<!-- yes --> frames on 220 film, a metal focal-plane shutter by [[Copal]] (1&ndash;1000, B),<REF> Shutter by Copal: Lewis, p.&nbsp;125, and Hishida; p.&nbsp;81 of {{KKS}} no.&nbsp;10. </REF> and through-the-lens metering for shutter-priority automatic exposure. The design allows for interchangeable lenses and finders, and the lens mount is compatible with [[Hasselblad]]. The lenses made for the Hasselblad can be mounted on the Konica SF but can be used in manual exposure mode only. The dedicated SF lenses have an additional pin for auto-exposure operation, and they cannot be mounted on the Hasselblad.<REF> Compatibility details: Hishida; p.&nbsp;81 of {{KKS}} no.&nbsp;10. </REF> The film advance knob is interchangeable too and can be replaced by an advance crank; this would have allowed the future development of a motor-drive.<REF> Hishida; p.&nbsp;81 of {{KKS}} no.&nbsp;10. </REF>
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== Development and fate ==
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[[Konica|Konishiroku]]'s medium-format SLR project started in June 1965.<REF name="Shirai 81"> Shirai, p.81. </REF> (Actually, the company had already built an unrelated 6×6cm SLR prototype in the 1940s or early 1950s, but almost nothing is known on that camera, see [[Konishiroku 6×6 SLR]].) The main objectives were a good image quality, an advanced exposure system, the ability to take snapshots, and a price as low as possible.<REF name="Shirai 81" /> The potential customers were mainly professional studio or scientific photographers and high-end amateurs, but the camera would have to be usable for press photography too.<REF name="Shirai 81" /> The main designer for the project was Nenoi Masayuki (根ノ井正之), who also designed the [[Konica Auto S]] and [[Konica Domirex]].<REF> Shirai, pp.80–1. </REF>
  
Two prototypes were made,<REF> Hishida; p.&nbsp;81 of {{KKS}} no.&nbsp;10. </REF> and one of them has been photographed and exhibited with a pentaprism finder and an 80mm f/2.8 Hexanon standard lens; it was notably displayed at the JCII exhibition about Konica and Minolta in 2005. Prototypes of a wide-angle 50mm f/3.5 and a tele 135mm f/3.5 were made, and other lenses were planned but never made: 35/4, 180/4.5, 250/5.6 and 500/8.<REF> Lens list: Hishida; p.&nbsp;81 of {{KKS}} no.&nbsp;10. This source shows a picture of the 50/3.5 and 135/3.5. </REF>
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The Konica SF was announced in Japanese photography magazines, but the exact date is unclear — either Spring 1967 or Spring 1968.<REF> Shirai, p.78, says that the Konica SF was announced in Spring 1967, at the same time as the Koni-Omegaflex M, but the latter camera is dated 1968 in many other sources. Hishida, p.81 of {{KKS}} no.10, says 1967 too, but the text is obviously based on Shirai. Lewis, p.125, says March 1968 for both the Konica SF and Koni-Omegaflex M. </REF> However, the camera never went into full production. One cause for this was Nenoi's unexpected death.<REF> Shirai, pp.81 and 86, repeated in Hishida, p.81 of {{KKS}} no.10. </REF> In addition to that, Konica officials interviewed in the late 1970s explained that the company did not want to disperse its efforts on too many projects.<REF> Shirai, p.86, repeated in Hishida, p.81 of {{KKS}} no.10. </REF>
  
The Konica SF never went into full production, partly because of the death of the main designer.<REF> Death of the main designer: Hishida; p.&nbsp;81 of {{KKS}} no.&nbsp;10. </REF> It was the first Japanese 4.5&times;6 SLR, years before the [[Mamiya M645]], and one of the first medium-format SLRs in the world to have automatic exposure. The next year 1968, [[Minolta]] also made a prototype SLR in 6&times;6cm format, the [[Minolta SR66]], having an electronically controlled shutter, perhaps enabling auto-exposure too.
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The Konica SF was the first Japanese 4.5×6 SLR, years before the [[Mamiya M645]], and one of the first medium-format [[SLR]]s in the world to have automatic exposure. In 1968, [[Minolta]] made a prototype SLR in 6×6cm format, the [[Minolta SR66]], having an electronically controlled shutter, perhaps enabling auto-exposure too, but that project was also shelved.
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== Description ==
 +
The Konica SF has exchangeable film backs for 15<!-- yes, 15 --> frames on [[120 film|120]] or 30<!-- yes --> frames on [[120 film#220_film|220 film]], a metal [[focal plane shutter|focal-plane shutter]] by [[Copal]] (1–1000, B),<REF> Shutter by Copal: Lewis, p.125, and Hishida, p.81 of {{KKS}} no.10. </REF> and [[TTL|through-the-lens]] metering for [[shutter priority|shutter-priority]] automatic exposure. The design allows for interchangeable lenses and finders, and the lens mount is compatible with [[Hasselblad]]. The lenses made for the Hasselblad can be mounted on the Konica SF but can be used in manual exposure mode only.<REF name="KKS10 p81"> Hishida, p.81 of {{KKS}} no.10. </REF> The dedicated SF lenses have an additional pin for auto-exposure operation, and they cannot be mounted on the Hasselblad.<REF name="KKS10 p81" /> The [[film advance]] knob is interchangeable too and can be replaced by an advance crank; this would have allowed the future development of a motor-drive.<REF name="KKS10 p81" />
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Two prototypes were made,<REF name="KKS10 p81" /> and at least one of them has survived. It has been photographed and exhibited with a [[pentaprism]] finder and a Hexanon 80mm f/2.8 standard lens (no.4610002), and was notably displayed at the [[JCII]] exhibition about Konica and Minolta in 2005.<ref>[http://www.geocities.jp/mikai2113/image/1070148.jpg Image here]</ref>
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The 80mm f/2.8 lens has seven elements in five groups,<REF name="Shirai 77"> Shirai, p.77. </REF> and focuses down to 0.6m.<REF name="Shirai 81" /> Prototypes of a wide-angle 50mm f/3.5 and a tele 135mm f/3.5 were made, and at least one example of each has survived.<REF> Pictures in Shirai, p.85, and in Hishida, p.81 of {{KKS}} no.10. </REF> Both are called Hexanon too; the minimum distance is 0.5m for the 50mm, and 1.2m for the 135mm.<REF name="Shirai 81" /> The three lenses are predominantly black, and share the same aspect. The focus ring has a diamond-shaped pattern and is graduated in both metres and feet. There is a chrome band under the focus ring, with depth-of-field indications. The aperture ring is close to the lens mount, and has an additional position beyond f/22 for automatic exposure.
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Other lenses were planned but never made: 35/4, 180/4.5, 250/5.6 and 500/8.<REF> Shirai, p.82, repeated in Hishida, p.81 of {{KKS}} no.10. </REF> (Intended minimum focusing distances were respectively 0.5m, 2m, 2.5m and 8m.)<REF> Shirai, p.82. </REF>
  
 
== Notes ==
 
== Notes ==
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== Bibliography ==
 
== Bibliography ==
* Hishida Kōshirō (菱田耕四郎). "Konica History 11: Maboroshi no kamera to tokushu kamera" (幻のカメラと特殊カメラ, Phantom cameras and special cameras). {{KKS010}} Pp.&nbsp;81&ndash;2.
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* Hishida Kōshirō (菱田耕四郎). "Konica History 11: Maboroshi no kamera to tokushu kamera" (幻のカメラと特殊カメラ, Phantom cameras and special cameras). {{KKS010}} Pp.81–2.
 
* ''Konika-Minoruta-ten'' (コニカミノルタ展, Konica Minolta exhibition). Exhibition catalogue. Tokyo: JCII Camera Museum, 2005.
 
* ''Konika-Minoruta-ten'' (コニカミノルタ展, Konica Minolta exhibition). Exhibition catalogue. Tokyo: JCII Camera Museum, 2005.
* {{Lewis}} P.&nbsp;125.
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* {{Lewis}} P.125.
* Shirai Tatsuo (白井達男). "コニカSF" (Konika SF). Pp. 77&ndash;86 of ''Maboroshi no kamera o otte'' (幻のカメラを追って, Pursuing phantom cameras). Gendai Kamera Shinsho (現代カメラ新書). Tokyo: Asahi Sonorama, 1982. ISBN 4-257-08077-9. (First published in ''Kamera Rebyū / Camera Review.'' no&nbsp;9, November 1979.)
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* Shirai Tatsuo (白井達男). "Konika SF" (コニカSF, Konica SF). Pp.77–86 of ''Maboroshi no kamera o otte'' (幻のカメラを追って, Pursuing phantom cameras). Gendai Kamera Shinsho (現代カメラ新書). Tokyo: Asahi Sonorama, 1982. <nowiki>ISBN</nowiki> 4-257-08077-9. (First published in ''Kamera Rebyū / Camera Review'' no.9, November 1979.)
  
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<!-- the sole link seems dead as at Jan '17. Whole site missing. Delete if not back April '17.
 
== Links ==
 
== Links ==
* [http://www11.plala.or.jp/mikai2113/image/1070148.jpg Photo of a Konica SF] <!-- from the uninformative http://www11.plala.or.jp/mikai2113/no5.0508.html --> from [http://www11.plala.or.jp/mikai2113/ Fukusenbankō's site]
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* [http://www11.plala.or.jp/mikai2113/image/1070148.jpg Photo of a Konica SF] from [http://www11.plala.or.jp/mikai2113/ Fukusenbankō's site]
 
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[[Category: Japanese 4.5x6 SLR]]
 
[[Category: Japanese 4.5x6 SLR]]
[[Category: Konica]]
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[[Category: Konica|SF]]
 
[[Category: K]]
 
[[Category: K]]
 
[[Category: S|Sf]]
 
[[Category: S|Sf]]

Revision as of 22:27, 8 January 2017

Japanese medium-format SLR (edit)
6×9 Optika | Rittreck
6×8 Fuji GX680 | Fuji GX680 II | Fujifilm GX680 III | Fujifilm GX680 III S
6×7 Bronica GS-1 | Mamiya RB67 | Mamiya RZ67 | Pentax 67
6×6 Amano 66 | Reflex Beauty | Bronica C | Bronica D | Bronica EC | Bronica S | Bronica S2 | Bronica SQ | Bronica Z | Carlflex | Escaflex | Flex Six | Fujita 66 | Graflex Norita | Hasemiflex | Kalimar Reflex | Kalimar Six Sixty | Konishiroku prototype | Kowa Six | Kowa Super 66 | Minolta SR66 | Norita 66 | Orchid | Rittreck 6×6 | Rolly Flex | Seito Ref | Shinkoflex | Soligor 66 | Tanyflex | Warner 66 | Zuman Flex
4.5×6 Bronica ETR | Contax 645 AF | Fujifilm GX645AF | Konica SF | Mamiya M645 | Mamiya M645 Super / Pro | Mamiya 645AF | Pentax 645 | Pentax 645N | Pentax 645NII
4×4 Atomflex | Komaflex-S | Super Flex Baby
Japanese TLR and pseudo TLR ->
Other Japanese 6×6, 4.5×6, 3×4 and 4×4 ->

The Konica SF (コニカSF) is a 4.5×6 SLR camera made as a prototype by Konishiroku in the second half of the 1960s.

Development and fate

Konishiroku's medium-format SLR project started in June 1965.[1] (Actually, the company had already built an unrelated 6×6cm SLR prototype in the 1940s or early 1950s, but almost nothing is known on that camera, see Konishiroku 6×6 SLR.) The main objectives were a good image quality, an advanced exposure system, the ability to take snapshots, and a price as low as possible.[1] The potential customers were mainly professional studio or scientific photographers and high-end amateurs, but the camera would have to be usable for press photography too.[1] The main designer for the project was Nenoi Masayuki (根ノ井正之), who also designed the Konica Auto S and Konica Domirex.[2]

The Konica SF was announced in Japanese photography magazines, but the exact date is unclear — either Spring 1967 or Spring 1968.[3] However, the camera never went into full production. One cause for this was Nenoi's unexpected death.[4] In addition to that, Konica officials interviewed in the late 1970s explained that the company did not want to disperse its efforts on too many projects.[5]

The Konica SF was the first Japanese 4.5×6 SLR, years before the Mamiya M645, and one of the first medium-format SLRs in the world to have automatic exposure. In 1968, Minolta made a prototype SLR in 6×6cm format, the Minolta SR66, having an electronically controlled shutter, perhaps enabling auto-exposure too, but that project was also shelved.

Description

The Konica SF has exchangeable film backs for 15 frames on 120 or 30 frames on 220 film, a metal focal-plane shutter by Copal (1–1000, B),[6] and through-the-lens metering for shutter-priority automatic exposure. The design allows for interchangeable lenses and finders, and the lens mount is compatible with Hasselblad. The lenses made for the Hasselblad can be mounted on the Konica SF but can be used in manual exposure mode only.[7] The dedicated SF lenses have an additional pin for auto-exposure operation, and they cannot be mounted on the Hasselblad.[7] The film advance knob is interchangeable too and can be replaced by an advance crank; this would have allowed the future development of a motor-drive.[7]

Two prototypes were made,[7] and at least one of them has survived. It has been photographed and exhibited with a pentaprism finder and a Hexanon 80mm f/2.8 standard lens (no.4610002), and was notably displayed at the JCII exhibition about Konica and Minolta in 2005.[8]

The 80mm f/2.8 lens has seven elements in five groups,[9] and focuses down to 0.6m.[1] Prototypes of a wide-angle 50mm f/3.5 and a tele 135mm f/3.5 were made, and at least one example of each has survived.[10] Both are called Hexanon too; the minimum distance is 0.5m for the 50mm, and 1.2m for the 135mm.[1] The three lenses are predominantly black, and share the same aspect. The focus ring has a diamond-shaped pattern and is graduated in both metres and feet. There is a chrome band under the focus ring, with depth-of-field indications. The aperture ring is close to the lens mount, and has an additional position beyond f/22 for automatic exposure.

Other lenses were planned but never made: 35/4, 180/4.5, 250/5.6 and 500/8.[11] (Intended minimum focusing distances were respectively 0.5m, 2m, 2.5m and 8m.)[12]

Notes

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Shirai, p.81.
  2. Shirai, pp.80–1.
  3. Shirai, p.78, says that the Konica SF was announced in Spring 1967, at the same time as the Koni-Omegaflex M, but the latter camera is dated 1968 in many other sources. Hishida, p.81 of Kurashikku Kamera Senka no.10, says 1967 too, but the text is obviously based on Shirai. Lewis, p.125, says March 1968 for both the Konica SF and Koni-Omegaflex M.
  4. Shirai, pp.81 and 86, repeated in Hishida, p.81 of Kurashikku Kamera Senka no.10.
  5. Shirai, p.86, repeated in Hishida, p.81 of Kurashikku Kamera Senka no.10.
  6. Shutter by Copal: Lewis, p.125, and Hishida, p.81 of Kurashikku Kamera Senka no.10.
  7. 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 Hishida, p.81 of Kurashikku Kamera Senka no.10.
  8. Image here
  9. Shirai, p.77.
  10. Pictures in Shirai, p.85, and in Hishida, p.81 of Kurashikku Kamera Senka no.10.
  11. Shirai, p.82, repeated in Hishida, p.81 of Kurashikku Kamera Senka no.10.
  12. Shirai, p.82.

Bibliography

  • Hishida Kōshirō (菱田耕四郎). "Konica History 11: Maboroshi no kamera to tokushu kamera" (幻のカメラと特殊カメラ, Phantom cameras and special cameras). Kamera Rebyū: Kurashikku Kamera Senka (カメラレビュー クラシックカメラ専科) / Camera Review: All about Historical Cameras no.10, September 1987. No ISBN number. Konishiroku kamera no rekishi (小西六カメラの歴史, special issue on Konishiroku). Pp.81–2.
  • Konika-Minoruta-ten (コニカミノルタ展, Konica Minolta exhibition). Exhibition catalogue. Tokyo: JCII Camera Museum, 2005.
  • Lewis, Gordon, ed. The History of the Japanese Camera. Rochester, N.Y.: George Eastman House, International Museum of Photography & Film, 1991. ISBN 0-935398-17-1 (paper), 0-935398-16-3 (hard). P.125.
  • Shirai Tatsuo (白井達男). "Konika SF" (コニカSF, Konica SF). Pp.77–86 of Maboroshi no kamera o otte (幻のカメラを追って, Pursuing phantom cameras). Gendai Kamera Shinsho (現代カメラ新書). Tokyo: Asahi Sonorama, 1982. ISBN 4-257-08077-9. (First published in Kamera Rebyū / Camera Review no.9, November 1979.)