Konica C35 EF
No wonder people say: “The lens alone is worth the price.”
So read a 1977 ad promoting the release of the updated Konica C35 EF. First introduced in 1975 as the newest member of the Konica C35 family, the C35 EF added built-in electronic flash. It is considered the first 35mm compact camera of its kind to do so. But the real draw of the camera was, and still is, the prime 38mm f2.8 Hexanon lens that adorns the C35 EF. While the rest of the camera is pretty simple, and has its own charm, those that are familiar with Konica's Hexanon optics know them to be excellent lenses capable of sharp and crisp images.
But we shouldn't merely swoon over the lens on this camera without filling you in on some of its other qualities.
The 1975 version of the Konica C35 EF presented as a very basic, easy to use, compact 35mm camera. The simple shutter has two speeds: 1/60 and 1/125th, which the camera's meter automatically chooses between. The camera also automatically selects the necessary aperture, with a display in the viewfinder to inform you of the camera's selection. So exposure is entirely automatic. Easy. Fast. But no manual control here. Focusing also makes use of a simple zone focus method. The top of the lens barrel has the lens' focus range of 1m to infinity, or you can focus via illustrations on the side of the barrel that represent different zones of distance. Again, a handy display in the finder marks which zone the lens is currently focused in.
The built-in flash pops up when turned on via a nicely placed switch near the base of the lens. Turning the flash off is as easy as pushing it back down.
In 1977 Konica updated the C35 EF with a slightly tweaked newer model that now included a self-timer as well as an additional 1/250th shutter speed that the meter could choose. The flash switch also got a nice orange button, replacing the original black switch.
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