New Konica Group established

craigclu · 06-22-2008, 08:18 PM

Konica brought many innovations to photography and lots of great glass in various formats and configurations. I think that it is a great "sleeper" brand with great bargains to be had for their very competent equipment. Are there any like-minded folks out there?

Photo Engineer · 06-22-2008, 08:32 PM

They had close ties to Misubishi and Sekonic.

PE

Jeff Kubach · 06-22-2008, 08:38 PM

I know that is not glass but I loved their IR film.

Jeff

Tom Kershaw · 06-22-2008, 08:41 PM

PE,

What is your view on their films? Before I got into photography I had thought of them as a "snaps" brand but now realize Konica did produce some specialist products such as a near IR film in 120 format.

Tom.

craigclu · 06-22-2008, 08:52 PM

I purchased a large quantity of their 160 in 120 some years back (I may still have some frozen). It was a decent wedding film and held texture in white gowns and had nice skin tones. Not every lab handled it correctly but a couple that I trusted (CamerArt & Whitehouse Color) did a very nice job with it.

It did seem that they were a price-point film and I only used a few sample rolls with mixed results. Konica had messed up an order and when they corrected it, sent some complimentary films from their last emulsion upgrade. I walked around an outdoor hot rod show in St Paul with a Hexar loaded with the 200 and must say, for that duty, it gave as good of results as I could have hoped for from any film.

Konical · 06-22-2008, 08:57 PM

Good Evening, Craig,

I'm a long-time user of the Koni-Omega MF system and have a high opinion of it. Let's not pump it up too much, however, since I don't want the price of used stuff to increase. Too bad someone doesn't tool up and provide new K-O backs with the weak points corrected. I also bought a Konica A2 a couple of years ago ($15!) and find it a most satisfactory item.

Konical

eric · 06-22-2008, 09:05 PM

I have a bunch of Konica 35mm gear CLA'd by Greg Weber. Unfortunately, you can't even sell this stuff anywhere near the prices of similar types of Nikon or Minolta. I use my T3 and 21mm all the time. Actually the 40mm is really nice as well. 85mm is not bad but I prefer my Rokkor 85mm.

Jeff Kubach · 06-22-2008, 09:11 PM

I have used Konica IR 35 film a few years ago and I loved for easy use of it (general speaken), but I've never used the 120 up to now, thou I wish I had.
Jeff

rob champagne · 06-22-2008, 09:24 PM

LOL wasn't the idea to do this in the new group.

Chazzy · 06-22-2008, 10:02 PM

I'm a very happy Koni-Omega user.