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Konica Auto S3

by M. Feuerbacher 2003 (updated 2013)

The Konica Auto S3 is a very compact rangefinder featuring the sensational Hexanon f/1.8 38mm lens. According to its product name it apparently is a successor of the Konica Auto S series, including the Auto S and Auto S2. It has a completely different outer appearance however. The body is considerably smaller, the focal length is shorter and it is lacking full manual control.

The Auto S3 belongs to a group of very similar but differently labelled cameras, which were, according to some classic-camera sites on the web, all constructed by Cosina. They all feature a fast f/1.8 lens of about 40 mm focal length, similar rangefinders, meter systems, and body dimensions.

The Konica Auto S3 for example is very similar to the Revue 400 SE, the Vivitar 35 ES, the Yashica 35 GX, and the Minolta Himatic 7SII. The Konicas and Revues bodies are almost identical and so are their technical specifications. The Konica however has some more flash capabilities such as daylight compensation. The Himatic 7SII also has a line of larger bodied predecessors but features, other than the S3, full manual control.