Konica Autoreflex TC, T3 and T4

 Konica cameras are always good and a very good compromise between cost and quality and the optics are famous for being outstanding.

As usual, I'll not dig into historical and technical details and keep focused on my user experience with the Konica Autoreflex TC, T3 and T4.

For more information please check:  Matt's Classic Camera and Buhla

Konica is famous for some really outstanding quality lenses and just this may justify to have a Konica SLR. Of course you can also use the lenses on any digital mirrorless camera. 

The simplest Autoreflex, the TC

This is the entry-level model, but still a very decent camera that you can find for just a few dollars on the second hand market, flea markets or garage sales.

The main difference between the TC and the other models is the fact it has no shutter speeds below 1/8s.

Konica Autoreflex TC

It has a basic TTL light meter mechanically linked to the aperture control mechanism. There is a mechanical latch that identify the galvanometer needle position, locks it and therefore controls the aperture. Pretty simple, exactly the way that some rangefinder cameras like the Konica Auto S2 and the Olympus Trip 35 do. It has auto exposure lock, but no exposure compensation adjustments neither the possibility of double exposures.

The shutter is all-mechanic and the battery is needed just for the light meter itself.

But this camera has some very odd quirks. The light meter works only on certain ranges of speed and ISO settings.

From the TC manual:

Exposure Meter Range of Konica TC:

ASA 25 - 200 -1/8 sec. to 1/1000

ASA 250 - 400 - 1/5 sec. to 1/1000

ASA 500 - 800 - 1/30 sec. to 1/1000

ASA 1000 - 1600 - 1/60 to 1/1000

The meter will simply disengage outside the above mentioned ranges. For example, you will have NO METERING if you set ISO 500 and 1/15s.

Besides this weirdness, it's a cool camera. It's lightweight, reliable, with a decent viewfinder.

Like all Konicas, you will need specific Konica mount lenses to use with it.

Pros: Inexpensive, easy to find, light, reliable

Cons: Takes TWO 1.35V PX13 Mercury battery, light-meter eccentricities, some people will complain about the missing slow speeds. 

The T3 and T4

Konica Autoreflex T3

The T3 is a much more sophisticated camera. First, it's an all-metal body, very well made and heavy like a brick. The viewfinder is pretty decent and the focusing screens are user changeable.

The shutter is a mechanic Copal Square, with vertical-travel curtain a has the more familiar 1s-1/1000s + B speeds. The T3 and T4 allow multiple-exposures.

The light meter don't have the limitations like the one from the TC and couples with all iso and shutter combinations.

The T4 is a T3 upgrade without any important additional feature. Both cameras are quite similar besides the T4 weight, much lighter than the T3 and it's also smaller.

Konica Autoreflex T4

Conclusion:

The TC,T3 and T4 are nice cameras with reliable mechanics. The exposure control system is basic but if in working condition will work as expected for center-weighted light measurements. Be sure to check if it's working before buying one.

The PX13 mercury battery is definitely something to worry. One option is to use alkalines and have the meter calibrated by a professional. Second option is to use Zinc-Air batteries and the third is to use two expensive silver-oxyde battery adapters with voltage regulation. It's up to you to decide.

So, why bother about Konica SLRs ? Because Konica made some extremely good lenses and they are affordable. And you can always use them on digital cameras if you want.