C41
Kodak Portra 400
Kodak Portra 400 is a professional C-41 color negative film known for flexible exposure latitude, natural skin tones, and fine grain.
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rangefinder-35mm
The Konica Auto S3 (1973) is the last in Konica's Auto S series of fixed-lens rangefinders — a line that began with the Auto S (1963) and progressed through the Auto S2 (1965). The S3 pairs the excellent **Hexanon 38mm f/1.8** lens with a **programmed automatic exposure** system (not aperture-priority): the camera sets both aperture and shutter speed automatically. A CdS meter and electronic leaf shutter handle exposure from bright daylight down to dim indoor light.
Reference
Recommended film stocks for the 35mm format your camera takes.
C41
Kodak Portra 400 is a professional C-41 color negative film known for flexible exposure latitude, natural skin tones, and fine grain.
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Ilford HP5 Plus is a flexible ISO 400 black-and-white film with classic grain and strong push-processing tolerance.
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Kodak Tri-X 400 is a classic black-and-white film known for strong tonality, visible grain, and documentary character.
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Before you buy used
About this camera
Konica's final premium fixed-lens rangefinder. Hexanon 38mm f/1.8, programmed AE, 1973. Sharp lens, compact body, overlooked relative to the Canonet.
| Field | Value |
|---|
| Format | 35mm |
| Lens | Hexanon 38mm f/1.8 |
| Shutter | 1/450s – ~4s, programmed electronic leaf shutter |
| Flash sync | 1/450s |
| Meter | CdS programmed (program AE) |
| Modes | Programmed auto only |
| ISO | 25–800 |
| Weight | 600 g |
| Battery | 4× LR44 |
Konica introduced the Auto S series as a premium alternative to Canonet and Yashica Electro offerings. The Auto S2 (1965) earned a strong reputation for its Hexanon 45/1.8 and quality build. The S3 (1973) widened the field of view to 38 mm, a choice that suited street and travel photography. Production ended around 1978 as AF compacts made fixed-focus rangefinders obsolete.
The Hexanon 38/1.8 on the S3 is genuinely excellent — Konica's reputation for lens quality carries from the SLR world to the fixed-lens compacts. The 38 mm focal length is slightly wider than the 40–45 mm of the Canonet or Electro 35, making it more versatile for environmental portraiture and street. Programmed AE is simpler than aperture-priority (no decisions required), though this limits creative control.
Undervalued relative to the Canonet QL17 GIII, the S3 regularly trades for $60–200 — similar to the competition, with lens quality that holds its own.
Fixed Hexanon 38mm f/1.8. No interchangeable lens capability. Accepts standard clip-on flash.
C41
Kodak Portra 160 is a professional C-41 color negative film with fine grain, soft contrast, and natural color.
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Kodak Gold 200 is a daylight-balanced C-41 color negative film with warm color, moderate grain, and a classic consumer-film look.
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