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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slr-35mm
The Konica Auto-Reflex (1965) is a Japanese 35mm SLR notable for one engineering first: a built-in mechanism allowing the photographer to switch between **full-frame (24x36mm)** and **half-frame (18x24mm)** format in mid-roll, without changing backs or film. Turning a selector on the camera body engaged a mask in the film gate, doubling the number of exposures per roll. This was achieved without interchangeable backs - a proprietary mechanical solution integrated into the body. The Auto-Reflex launched the **Konica AR lens mount**, which remained in production through the 1980s. The kit lens was the Hexanon AR 52mm f/1.8.
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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Kodak Tri-X 400 is a classic black-and-white film known for strong tonality, visible grain, and documentary character.
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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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Before you buy used
About this camera
The world's first SLR switchable between full-frame 35mm and half-frame in a single camera body.
| Field | Value |
|---|
| Format | 35mm full-frame or half-frame (switchable) |
| Mount | Konica AR |
| Kit lens | Hexanon AR 52mm f/1.8 |
| Years | 1965–~1967 |
| Shutter | ~1s – 1/1000s + B, focal plane |
| Flash sync | ~1/60s |
| Meter | TTL CdS, aperture-priority auto |
| Modes | Aperture priority, manual |
| Battery | 1× PX625 mercury |
Konica entered the 35mm SLR market with the Auto-Reflex in 1965, competing against established players (Nikon F, Pentax Spotmatic, Canon FP). The half/full-frame switching mechanism was the differentiator, patented by Konica. It introduced the Konica AR bayonet mount - all subsequent Konica SLRs through the 1980s (Autoreflex T, T2, T3, TC, FS-1, FT-1) used AR-mount lenses, giving the system long tail compatibility. The Auto-Reflex itself was succeeded quickly by the Autoreflex T (~1967), which refined the exposure system. Production of the original Auto-Reflex was short — roughly two years. Exact production numbers are not published.
The half-frame/full-frame switching is historically significant as an engineering first. No other SLR before it offered this capability in a single integrated body. Practically, in 1965 it addressed a real economy-of-film concern for amateur photographers: a 36-exposure roll became 72 half-frame shots. For 2026 collectors, the Auto-Reflex is the origin point of the entire Konica AR system and the camera that established the mount used by the Hexanon AR lenses (40/1.8 pancake, 50/1.4, 57/1.2) still valued today.
The TTL aperture-priority metering was competitive for 1965 - contemporaries like the Pentax Spotmatic had through-the-lens metering too, but the Auto-Reflex's aperture-priority automation was among the early implementations in a production SLR.
Konica AR mount - bayonet, non-AI. All Konica Hexanon AR lenses are compatible. Notable lenses:
Konica AR lenses can be adapted to Sony E, Micro Four Thirds, and Fuji X mounts with inexpensive passive adapters.
BW
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 Ektar 100 is a fine-grain C-41 color negative film with saturated color and high sharpness.
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