Introduction
I consider myself lucky to own an example of most Konica single lens reflex (SLR) cameras or variants thereof such as the Revue Auto-Reflex. (The German variant of the Konica Auto-Reflex). To date, I have only reviewed a couple of the models but today I am going to start to remedy that with my observations about the Konica FT-1 Motor.
The Konica FT-1 was in production from 1983 until 1987 and was the last SLR manufactured by Konica. The later Konica TC-X was manufactured by Cosina on behalf of Konica. The more quizzical reader may wonder why I have chosen to launch into a review of the last Konica manufactured SLR before many of the other very competent cameras produced by Konica. The answer is very simple. It is my latest acquisition and one that I am quite excited by. I obtained it from a seller in Germany who had clearly taken great care of it. It is complete in every way and came together with manuals, original purchase documents, a Konica Interval Timer, a left hand release switch (more about that later and a dioptre correction lens. It is pristine! Mine is the all black version, although it was also available in the conventional silver/black version.
The FT-1 is built on a metal chassis and feels extremely robust. It followed the FS-1, which was also an all electronic camera which sadly had a reputation for the failure of the electronics. The electronics in the FT-1 are considered far more dependable. There is little doubt that the lessons learned form the production of the FS-1 were extremely painful.
Advantages
Although the FT-1 is full of nice features, there are a few obvious omissions found in the earlier mechanical cameras. On the plus side, it has an exposure memory lock; exposure compensation (± 2 EV); and is only Konica SLR to have an advanced metering system based on Silicon Photodiode (SPD) cells. It has an advanced automatic film loading system. The user simply lays the film leader across the take-up roller; closes the back and switches the camera on for it automatically to take up the film ready for the first frame. Unlike most cameras of this era, it has a built in electronic film winder system rather than relying on a separate motor wind which were bulky, heavy and relied upon additional batteries. An exposure lock assists when taking photos where there are extremes of lighting such as where there is strong backlighting.
It has a switch allowing the user to choose between single or continuous shooting. It can achieve up to 2 frames a second which by todays standards may seem slow but can be nevertheless, useful. It is powered by four AAA batteries although there is an alternative battery holder available that takes AA batteries and allows for longer periods before the batteries have to be changed.
Disadvantages
So what can be considered disadvantages? The first is simple. It is fully electronic. If the batteries die, the camera cannot be used! Unlike on earlier models, there is no depth of field (DoF) preview. A conventional cable release cannot be used. Instead there is an accessory port on the front of the body where an electronic release can be added. (It should be noted that this port can also be used to connect other accessories such as a shutter release button for left handed users and an interval timer).
Specifications
| Lens Mount | Konica AR |
| Standard lens | The standard ‘kit’ lens was the Hexanon AR 50mm/f1.4 or 50mm/f1.8. |
| Exposure Modes | Shutter Priority / Manual |
| Shutter type | Vertical Electronic Metal Focal Plane |
| Flash sync | X-Sync 1/100 (Dedicated Flash) or 1/60 (Non dedicated flash) 1/30 s with flash bulbs of types M, FP, and MF X synch contact in built-in accessory hot shoe. |
| Metering | Silicon Photodiode (SPD) |
| Viewfinder | 92%, Magnification: 0.81x (with 50mm lens at ∞) |
| Viewfinder indicators: | Light meter LEDs show closest aperture to metered value at actual shutter speed Warning LEDs for over- and underexposure Warning LED for manual exposure control Warning LED for low battery voltage LED indicator for stopped-down aperture (match-needle) metering Flash-ready LED when dedicated flash Konica X-24 or X-36 is used |
| ASA range | 25 – 3200 |
| Shutter speeds | B, 2 secs – 1/1000 |
| Weight | 570 grams |
| Dimensions (without lens): | Width x height x depth: 143 x 91 x 46 mm |
| Batteries | 4 x AAA or 4 x AA |
Conclusion
Until now, my favourite Konica SLR has been the Autoreflex T3n with the Auto-Reflex and Autorex P as close contenders simply because of their ability to switch between half and full frame on the fly. However, now I am not so sure!
The FT-1 is, in my opinion, a good looking camera with sufficiently good specifications to meet all of my needs. It has been described by others along the lines of being the ‘end of an era’. I would not disagree given that it wasn’t long before autofocus became the norm and cameras began to be produced from lighter weight components. However, for someone such as myself who is comfortable with manual focus lenses this could easily become my day-to-day workhorse where 35mm cameras are concerned. Of course, the one proviso is that it all depends upon how long the electronics remain functional! There is no mechanical overriding option!
Example images
These images were all shot on Kentmere 100 film; developed in Adox HC-110 and scanned on an Epson V600 scanner. Post processed in Lightroom Classic.
