This is the Konica Auto S2 produced by Konishiroku starting in 1965. It was also sold in the United States as the Wards am551. Along with a light meter, it has a fixed f1.8 45mm Hexanon lens and as the name implies, auto mode.
Regarding the light meter, the original battery was a PX625 mercury battery at 1.35v, which are no longer available. Knowing full well that the readings will not be entirely accurate this camera currently has a Duracell 625A (1.5v) installed. A more suitable option is the WeinCell MRB625 zinc-air battery.
This particular Copal-SVA shutter needed a bit of naphtha and exercise but is now working as smoothly as the day it left the factory.
| Make | Konica |
|---|---|
| Model | Auto S2 |
| Year | 1971 |
| Format | 35mm |
| Shutter | Copal-SVA |
| Speed | B, 1, 2, 4, 8, 15, 30, 60, 125, 250, 500 |
| Lens | Konica Hexanon |
| f1.8 45mm | |
| Focus | 0.9m – ∞ |
| Aperture | f1.8 to 16 |
| Light Meter | Yes |
| Rangefinder | Yes |
I have one of these and it’s really pleasant to use. I say bah to the whole worry about wrong voltage with the PX625. If you shoot print film the exposure latitude will make up for the voltage difference. I do it all the time and it’s fine.
Pingback: Recommended reading | Down the Road