OddCameras.com
Konica / Revue Auto-Reflex
The Konica Auto-Reflex, released in 1965 by Konishiroku Photo Industry Co. (since 1987: Konica),
Yodobashi, Tokyo,
was the first focal-plane-shutter auto exposure SLR for 135 film. For
this camera they introduced a new bayonnet mount, later called called K/AR mount with a relatively short flange focal distance of 40.5 mm. There was a meterless Auto-Reflex P model in 1966. They are the
only models written "Auto-Reflex" with a hyphen. Both are also the only
two SLRs ever that offer a choice between full or half frame pictures,
switched by a lever on top of the camera. The
cameras were called Autorex for the Japanese market and in Germany the
cameras wer also sold branded as Revue Auto-Reflex. Both were
discontinued in 1968.
The successors lost the hyphen in their name and were continued with
quite a number of models until 1988. They had TTL metering which the
first model didn't have. The lenses were called Hexanon and they have a
very good reputation. There were black models as well, but most were
silver.
The main features are:
Shutter: cloth, horizontal, speeds: 1 - 1/1000s and B
Viewfinder: pentaprism, fresnel screen with microraster,
Light-meter: non-TTL
Focus: manual
Film speeds: 12-800 ISO
Auto exposure (speed priority), PC socket (1/125 synchronized), mechanical self-timer, tripod mount. The frame size can be changed between 24×36 landscape and 18×24 portrait, even in mid-roll.
The camera presented is the metered model, branded "Revue" for the Quelle photo stores. Some photos:
A nice set: Camera, 3 lenses, strap, accesories, German instructions and more papers.
Except the camera housing, all other things are branded Konica.
Camera front. A 28mm lens, a good choice for the half frame format.
Camera front. To the left: meter.
Speed selctor by turning the meter housing.
ISO setting. To change, lift the upper part and turn. Towards the
bottom: self-timer and depth of the field button (closes the aperture).
2 PC sockets and lens release.
Camera
back. Viewer and advance lever. To the left of the finder: meter
switch, on, off and test. If in test position the needle rises above a
mark, power is fine.
Camera
bottom. Rewind release, tripod socket. Battery
compartment, takes a PX675 mercury battery. There are replacements
available. And there are loads of discussions about it...
Seen
from above. Rewind, accessory shoe, format setting lever,
shutter release, film counter and film advance.
28mm lens and its shade.
Shade mounted.
135mm lens
Lens front.
52mm F 1.8 standard lens.
Lens front.
Film compartment.
Film compartment with half format setting. Switching the lever also sets indication marks in the finder.
This is a very nice SLR camera with very good lenses. I bought it
for its half frame possibility. It's the only 135 film SLR to offer a
format choice that I know of. It
still works nicely after so many years. Seen today's film prices, half
frames are sought after. This led to high prices for this specific
model that had been overlooked for many years. In any case: A nice buy.