Konica Autoreflex A3
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To second half of Konica A3 camera manual

FOR SAFETY'S SAKE

Your Konica camera reflects the latest advances in photographic engineering and is designed to give you dependable, trouble-free use. Operation is probably somewhat different from cameras which you have previously owned. For this reason, it is strongly recommended that you shoot a "test" roll of film, have this roll processed, and examine the pictures before exposing additional rolls. The processed "test" roll will verify that you are using your new equipment correctly, and allow you to make any necessary changes in operating patterns; additionally, it will confirm that all camera functions are operating perfectly. In the event you are leaving on a trip (or some equally important events shortly, your Konica dealer can recommend the fastest way of having your f ret roll processed ..so that you can be certain that an subsequent rolls win be as good -or better!

CONTENTS

Using your Konica Autoreflex-A3: Seven Basic Steps ·~ 3

Operating Controls a ...................

Major Specifications ~ 6

Inserting Batteries a 8

Changing Lenses a .................... 9

Film Loading 10

Shutter Speeds and Lens Apertures .............. ... 13

Automatic and Non-Automatic Operation ~ .15

"Control Center" Viewfinder ·. ~ 16

Using Automatic Exposure Control (AEC) ~ 18

Under/Over-Exposure Safeguards a 204.butkus.org

Semi-Automatic Operation ..~ 21

Hints for Unusual Exposure Situations · ~ 23

Holding Your Camera. . 24

Focusing . ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 25

Depth-of-Field Control · ................. . 26

Depthof-Field Tables. . 27

Film Rewind and Unloading a 28

Flash Photography . . ~ 29

Time Exposures ·~ .~ ~ ~. 30

Filters .... 31

Konica Accessories . .. ~ . 32

Konica Interchangeable Lenses ..~ 38

USING YOUR KONICA AUTOREFLEX-A3:

SEVEN BASIC STEPS

1. Insert the two 1.35 Volt mercury photographic batteries supplied with your camera into the compartment at bottom of camera. (This supplies power to the CdS meter.)

2. Load camera. Konica's "Insta-Grip" take-up spool assures trouble-free operation.

3. Set ASA rating required for your film speed.

4. Move Aperture Control Ring to "AK" position ("EE" on some Lenses).

5. Select desired shutter speed. (For most shots, 1/125th is recommended.)

6. Focus and compose picture in viewfinder.4.butkus.org

7. Shoot...as long as me needle in the finder is in the "white" area, you pictures will be perfectly exposed automatically!

MAJOR SPECIFICATIONS OF KONICA AUTOREFLEX-A3

Camera Type: 35mm TTL (Through-the-Lens metering) AEC (Automatic Exposure Control) SLR (Single-Lens-Reflex)

Film: Standard 35mm 20 or 36-exposure cassettes

Format: 24x36mm

Standard Lens Options: Konica Hexanon AR 50mm f/1.7 (6 elements, 5 groups) Konica Hexanon AR 50mm f/1.4 (7 elements, 6 groups) Konica Hexanon AR 57mm f/1.2 (7 elements, 6 groups)

Minimum Focusing Distance: 17.4" from film plane

Lens Mount: Konica Bayonet (47mm diameter)

Flange/Film Distance: 40.5mm

Aperture Control System: Automatically sets correct f/stop (or fractional f/stop) with all Konica Automatic Hexanon lenses

Shutter: Metallic, vertical-scanning Copal Square-S

Shutter Speeds: Convenient top-mounted selector for all speeds from I second to 1/lOOOth second plus "B" (for time exposures)

Flash Synchronization: Electronic flash synchronization at all speeds to and including 1/125th second. Positive PC flash cord terminal. Optional Konica Accessory Clip 3 attaches to camera eyepiece.

Viewing System: Parallax-Free Single Lens Reflex System. Coated, eye-level pentaprism shows upright, unreversed image; apparent magnification 0.78X with 50mm lens.

Focusing Screen: Standard Konica Microdiaprism screen.

In-Finder Readouts: "Control-Center" viewfinder shows vital data at a glance: exact lens aperture being set automatically; maximum aperture of lens; under/over-exposure ranges; match-needle indicator for semi-automatic operation.

Reflex Mirror: Oversize, coated mirror prevents image cutoff in finder even with bellows extensions at 1:1 magnification. Mirror design permits automatic operation even with extreme wide-angle lenses. Instant-return mirror action prevents image blackout aRer exposure.

Exposure Control System: Fully Automatic Exposure Control (AEC) system selects and sets correct lens aperture (or fractional aperture) automatically, based on information obtained from dual through-the-lens CdS cells located in pentaprism. Metering system automatically matches acceptance angle to match focal length of lens: provides virtual spot readings with wide-angle lenses, center-weighted readings with standard lenses, intergrating readings with telephoto lenses.

Meter Power Source: Two 1.35 Volt mercury photographic batteries, photographic type (Mallory PX-675, Everready EPX-675, or equivalent).4www.butkus.org

Meter Coupling (Sensitivity) Range: 98,304:1 (EV 1.5-EV 18 with f/1.2 lens and ASA 100 film). Meter coupling range automatically indicated by red flag in viewfinder, which shiRs if coupling range is exceeded by existing illumination with film type in use.

Film Speed Range: ASA12-3200(Equivalent DIN 12-36 for European films).

Exposure "Memory" Lock: Memorizes and holds exposure reading to allow precise meter operation in backlit or spotlit situations; operates via shutter release.

Loading: Konica Insta-Grip Loading (IGL) system use~ multi-slotted take-up spool to grip film securely.

Film Transport: Single-stroke lever automatically advance~ film, winds shutter, counts exposures, and prevents unwanted double exposures. Lever returns to "ready" position away from camera body to permit continuous operation at eye-level. Oversize plastic grip on lever provides finger tip control, extra comfort.4.butkus.org

Unloading: Oversize rapid-rewind crank permits rewindin' within seconds; cutaway film cassette chamber allows drop out cassette removal.

Dimensions: With standard lenses:
                        5.9" wide, 3.9" high, 3.6" deep. 
                        Body only: 5.9" wide, 3.9" high, 1.8" deep.

Weights: Body: 24 oz.

Lenses:   50mm f/1.7: 8.5 oz.
                50mm f/1.4: 10.2 oz.
                57mm f/1.2: 16.2 oz.

INSERTING BATTERIES
Open Battery Compartment (37) by turning the cover counter-clockwise as shown. Remove batteries from protective packing (handle them by the edges to keep the surfaces clean). If the batteries appear to have a thin deposit of dust on them, wipe clean with a dry cloth.

Insert the two batteries into the compartment, with "+" sides facing up. (For your convenience, + and - indicators are marked in the compartment.)

After the batteries are in the chamber, replace cover.

To obtain longest service from your batteries, always cover the lens when your camera is not being used. If the lens cap has been lost, you may obtain a replacement Konica Lens Cap from your dealer.

When needle movement becomes extremely sluggish or stops altogether, replace your batteries with a fresh set. Normal life of PX-675 mercury batteries an one year in normal use.

Prolonged heat and moisture may reduce battery life. Always keep your camera (and any spare batteries) in a cool, dry place. And, when obtaining new batteries, make certain they are photographic type 1.35 Volt PX-675(Mallory PX-675, Everready EPX-675, or exact equivalent). Many other batteries are similar in appearance, but the difference in voltage and construction may cause incorrect exposures.4.butkus.org

CHANGING LENSES

To Remove the Lens from your Camera:

Grip lens securely in one hand. With the other hand, hold the camera body and press the Lens Lock Release Button (22). Holding this in, turn the lens counterclockwise until the two Red dots (one on the camera body, and one on the lens) line up. The lens may now be removed.

Note: When the lens is removed, be sure not to touch the interior of the camera. If the lens will be left off the camera for any length of time, a Konica Body Cap will protect your camera from dust and dirt.

To Mount the Lens on your Camera:

Line up the Red dot on the lens with the matching dot on the camera body; the lens win "seat" into the body easily. Now, grip the lens and turn it clockwise gently until it "clicks" into place. No further adjustments are required!

Loading your KonicaAutoreflex-A3 is exceptionally fast, accurate, and foolproof, because of Konica's Insta-Grip Load take-up spool...another Konica innovation. Here's how:

1. Press down Camera Back Lock (23), and swing the back open.

2. Slide the film cassette into the Cassette Chamber (25) as shown above.

3. Pull out enough film to reach the Take-Up Spool (31).  Insert film end into any slot (32) in the spool. The film will be gripped instantly as you . . .

4. Advance the Film Transport Lever (11) one full stroke. Make sure that the sprocket holes in the film engage the Sprocket Wheel (30) in your camera.

5 Close the camera back. Gently, turn the Film Rewind Crank (18) until resistance is felt (this takes up the slack of the film within the cassettes

6  Press the Shutter Release Button (1) and operate the transport lever until the Number I appears in the center of the Film Counter (2).4.butkus.org

To Check Film Advance

It's easy to make sure your camera is loaded correctly. While operating the transport lever, watch the Film Transport Indicator (17) to see if it rotates. If it does, you know that film is going through properly; if it doesn't it's not.

SHUTTER SPEEDS AND LENS APERTURE

Your Konica Autoreflex-A3 has a metal Copal Square-S focal plane shutter, with the control dial conveniently located on top of the camera. This unique shutter is noted for exceptional accuracy even under extremes of temperature and climate, and is virtually impervious to damage or deterioration in normal use.

This shutter, because of its exceptionally fast (7.5 milliseconds) traverse time, permits use of electronic flash at all speeds to and including l/125th second (this speed is marked in red on the shutter speed dial). Flashbulbs or flash cubes are synchronized up to l/30th second.

At "B", the shutter remains open as long as the Release Button (I ) is depressed. (For details on taking Time exposures, see page 30.)

Speeds may be changed at any time, whether or not the shutter is wound. If your camera will be out of operation for several months, it's desirable to release me shutter to minimize tension. For anything less than several months, however this Oration is not necessary.

Like your eye, your camera lens has an iris, generally called me diaphragm. Open it up, and it admits more light; close it down, it admits less. The amount of light is indicated by f/stops (also known as "apertures"): f/2.8 admits half as much light as f/2; f/4 admits one-quarter as much as f/2, and so on.4.butkus.org

When a Konica Automatic Hexanon lens is mounted on a Konica Autoreflex-A3, the iris or aperture automatically closes to the correct f/stop before the picture is taken. The needle in the viewfinder shows the actual f/stop being set. After the exposure, the aperture automatically re-opens to me widest position, giving you a brilliant image for easiest viewing and focusing.

Uncoupled lenses and accessories may also be used with your camera's metering system. (For details, see pages 15-16).

Automatic Operation:

With a Konica Automatic Hexanonlens on your Konica Autoreflex-A3, just check the indicator needle in the viewfinder, which shows the exact aperture the camera is selecting...and shoot! The automatic aperture mechanism sets this lens opening for you at the moment of exposure-and you can concentrate on your subject, instead of your camera. This is the decisive advantage of the Konica Autoreflex system.

Semi-Automatic Operation:

Yet, this amazingly precise instrument actually allows more actual control of aperture and shutter than most non-automatic cameras, because shutter and aperture are cross coupled, with easily-seen in-finder readouts to tell you exactly what your camera's doing at all times. Thus, if you wish to use a specific lens aperture for maximum (or minimum) depth-of-field, just change the shutter speed until the aperture you want is indicated by the needle. With the Konica Autoreflex-A3, you see the exact lens aperture being used at all times! (Semi-Automatic operation is also possible with uncoupled lenses and accessories; see page 21.)

Manual Operation:

Full manual operation is possible at any time, with any ten or accessory: just move your Hexanon AR lens off the AS (EE) position, dial the desired aperture, choose your shutter speed and shoot. (The meter indicator continues functioning for information purposes only.)

"CONTROL CENTER" VIEWFINDER
As long as the Meter Needle (41) is in the white area between the upper (40) and lower (43) red bands, shoot...your picture will be perfectly exposed!

The upper red band (40) also shows you the maximum aperture of the lens in use; in the illustration on the opposite page, an f/1.7 lens is on the camera, so the band rests between f/1.4 and f/2. When you mount a faster or slower lens on the camera, this band will more up or down to show the new maximum aperture (and, simultaneously, the new underexposure zone.)

"Your Konica's sensitive through-the-lens meter automatically determines correct exposure over an exceptionally wide range of lighting conditions...with ASA100 film, from a subject so dimly-lit it requires an exposure of 1/2 second at f/1.7 to a scene almost 50,000 times brighter - so bright it requires an exposure of l/lOOOth second at f/16! Within this basic "range" of meter sensitivity, the red band (40) in the viewfinder remains at a position corresponding to the maximum aperture of your lens (f/1.7 in the illustration).

Under certain conditions, the red band (40) will drop below the maximum-aperture position. For example, with an f/1.7 lens and ASA 100 film, selecting a shutter speed of one second will cause the red band to drop down to a position between f/2 and f/2.8. Here, your camera is preventing imcorrect exposure by actually showing you that, with this film/lens/shutter-speed combination, f/2.4 is the widest lens opening at which your camera will automatically operate. As always, your photograph will be perfectly exposed, so long as the Meter Indicator Needle (41) does not go into the red-band. Thus, with your Konica Autoreflex-A3 you need never worry about whether or not you're operating within your meter's "coupling range" - You are, and will obtain a perfectly-exposed photograph automatically, so long as the meter needle is out of the red!4.butkus.org

Konica's Control-Center viewfinder also shows you:

1) Underexposure Indicator for f/1.2 Lens (38); 

2) Complete Aperture Scale (42); and

3) Match-Needle Index Mark for stop-down metering with uncoupled lenses or accessories (39).

USING AUTOMATIC EXPOSURE CONTROL (AEC)

Full Aperture AEC Operation:

The figures in brackets in the chart at under show actual values of the dots between marked numbers on the film speed indicator.

1. Set the Film Speed.
Lift the outer collar surrounding the Shutter Speed Dial (15) and turn it until the correct ASA number appears in the Indicator Window (13). (The window marked "DIN" allows use of European films, in the event their ASA rating is not specified.))

2. Select the Shutter Speed.
For most situations, 1/125th is an excellent choice; it's fast enough to freeze most action and stop camera movement, and lets you shoot in most situations with today's film types. Generally, slower shutter speeds should be used only when there's not enough light to work at 1/125th; faster speeds are required usually only for extremely fast-moving subjects (racing cars, sports) or when shotting with telephoto lenses which naturally magnify possible camera movement just as they magnify the subject. (See page 20 for other situations in which faster or slower speeds may be desired)

3. Check Aperture Ring.
Make certain the Aperture Control Ring (9) is at the AE (EE) position as shown. If lens is not on AE(EE) position, your picture will be exposed at the opening shown on the aperture ring. irrespective of the f/stop indicated in the viewfinder.

4. Take the Picture!
Aim camera at subject, focus...and shoot. As long as the Meter Indicator Needle (41) is out of the red under and over-exposure bands, you'll get a perfectly exposed picture...automatically!

(Note: When using uncoupled lenses or accessories, follow the instructions outlined on page 21.)



UNDER/OVER-EXPOSURE SAFEGUARDS

If the meter needle goes to the upper red band (shown above for the three standedLenses), choose a slower shutter speed. If, at the slowest shutter speed (1 second), the needle's still in the red zone, there's not enough light to get a perfectlyexposed picture. (Naturally, when using speeds of 1/30 second or slower, use a tripod or brace the camera on a firm support if at all possible, and trip the shutter with a cable release.)

If the needle goes down to the lower red band (as shown in the fourth example above), there's too much light; choose a faster shutter speed.

When the Automatic Exposure is Not Used ....

For full manual operation, just dial the desired lens aperture on the aperture ring (f/5.6 is shown above). The meter needle will continue to indicate the recommended f/stop, but the camera will actually shoot at the aperture you've set.

SEMI-AUTOMATIC OPERATION WITH UNCOUPLED LENSES/ACCESSORIES

Your Konica's through-the-lens metering system works perfectly even with non-automatic lenses and accessories, which do not couple to the camera's automatic exposure mechanism. (Example: Pre-set lenses, mirror lenses, lenses from other cameras used with Konica adapters, even extension rings or bellows.) Here's how to use your Autoreflex-A3 in these situations:

1 Set the Film Speed.

2. Select the Shutter Speed.

3. Align the Indicator Needle.

Open up (or close down) the lens aperture until the Meter Indicator Needle (41) lines up with the Stop-down Metering Index Mark (39). (If preferred, you can also do this by changing the shutter speed instead of the lens aperture.)

4. Take the Picture!

Remember...this stop-down metering procedure is not needed (and in fact is not possible) with Konica Automatic Hexanon lenses mounted on the camera body. Stop-down metering is used only for uncoupled lenses or accessories.

SEMI-AUTOMATIC OPERATION WITH UNCOUPLED LENSES/ACCESSORIES: REMINDERS
When using the stop-down metering system with uncoupled lenses or accessories, keep in mind that the f/stopscale in the viewfinder no longer applies; neither do the under or over-exposure warning bands. If the needle's above the Index Mark (39) as shown (above, left) there's not enough light; ff it's below this mark (above, right)there's too much light. Solution: change lens aperture and/or shutter speed until the needle lines up with the Index Mark.

In full-aperture metering with Konica Automatic Hexanon stray light which may enter the eyepiece and reach the meter cells hay virtually no effect on exposures. In stop-down metering with uncoupled lenses or accessories, however, such light can have the effect of incorrectly influencing the meter's reading. Whenever you're using the stop-down metering system, be sure to place your eye as close as possible to the eyepiece, to prevent stray light from entering. (A Konica Rubber Eyecup, available from your dealer, helps here.)

Using Preset Lenses....
Lenses of this type do not automatically close down to the desired aperture; you turn the aperture control ring by hand to select the desired f/stop. Still, you can speed up operation considerably by setting both control rings of these lenses to the smallest f/stop (f/22 in the example shown above), then turning them together until the meter needle lines up with the Index Mark in the viewfinder. As soon as it lines up, you're ready to shoot . . .

To second half of Konica A3 camera manual