Konica C35 EF – Happy Little Camera

The Konica C35 EF is a happy little zone focus camera from 1975.

When I first purchased this camera at the best camera deal ever I thought I had finally found the elusive Konica C35 AF from 1977.  That would have been the first auto focus camera, ever.

But what I had purchased for approximately one dollar (46 pounds of cameras for $100) was the Konica C35 EF zone focus camera.  Well, it was the first automatic 35mm camera with built in flash.  So I decided to give a test roll of expired B/W ASA 400 film on an untested camera, a double roll of the dice.  This time, the dice rolled in my favor.

Initial Thoughts on the Konica C35 EF

I don’t think I like zone focus cameras.  I like to know a camera is “really” in focus when I shoot.  And to see a focused image through the viewfinder.

If you turn on the flash and then don’t use it, I worry that there’s no way to discharge the camera.  The orange “flash” light keeps on burning and I couldn’t find a way to turn it off.  I took another flash photo and turned off the flash quickly.

The automatic exposure works within normal ranges of light but if it’s too dark it still lets you take a photo.  I prefer my other cameras that prevent you from taking an underexposed photo with shutter lock.

On a bright note, the owner said her Mom took some very nice photos with it, hope so.

It wasn’t that pleasurable a shooter for me.  I prefer my Son of Canonet or Mamiya 135 just on how it feels.  But perhaps this Konica C35 EF will surprise me with its results.  Hope so.

Konica C35 EF First Roll – Expired Film

My first impression is that many of the photos seem under exposed with the automatic light metering.  A few frames developed well with correct exposure.  I wonder if I didn’t shoot the photos properly.

But in this little Konica C35’s defense, I would have to admit that I used expired black/white film that’s perhaps 10 years old and has been through heat and cold.

But I think these were nice photos.  Let’s take a look at my black/white roll of shots from this little Konica.

I think another problem is that I’m using probably decade old film, so what did I expect.

Tight Ladies Pants on North Milwaukee Avenue

I live in Chicago, IL USA just off a major street named North Milwaukee Avenue.  It runs north and west through the heart of Chicago.  One afternoon driving on North Milwaukee just south of Diversey I saw different stores with dozens of half mannequins wearing tight women’s pants.  I just had to take a photo.

After posting these North Milwaukee photos to my Flickr account, three of my friends said they remembered these mannequins and even knew the intersection where to find them.

Here’s another photo with shoppers looking at the mannequins.  You need to look twice, the shoppers are rather short.

Konica C35 EF Photos from my Back Porch

My friends are kind enough to let me take photos of them whenever they visit our home for dinner.  My wife or friend Michael probably took this photo.  Perhaps turning on the flash would have illuminated both our faces but then the entire image would be a whole lot different.

I knew the tiny Konica C35 EF couldn’t do this photo without turning on the flash.  My wife took the photo.  Well, at least I’m smiling.

My wife is amazing, that’s all I can say.  She always has a smile for me when I “test” my cameras.

My Favorite C35 EF Photo

I think this photo from my back deck overlooking the alley onto some clouds is my favorite photo from this roll.  The power lines and telephone lines near the bottom of the photo just remind me that I live in Chicago, IL USA.

Final Thoughts on my Konica C35 EF

Initially I thought the photos were underexposed.  But maybe it’s just because I’m not accustomed to shooting with black and white film.

Also, this entire roll was shot with ASA 400 B/W film purchased 3 years ago at a yard sale.  The film is easily a decade old and was never stored properly in a refrigerator.  So my photos with an untested camera and expired film came out decently.

This camera cost me less than two dollars.  For a two dollar camera, it performed admirably.  Thanks for reading my Konica C35 EF review today on What is a Film Camera.