Konica FT-1

Konica FT-1
Overview
MakerKonishiroku
Type35 mm SLR
Lens
Lens mountKonica AR
Sensor/medium
Film speedISO 25 to 3200 [manual]
Focusing
FocusManual
Exposure/metering
ExposureShutter priority, manual
Exposure meteringEV0.7 to EV19 @ ASA 100
Flash
FlashHot shoe, PC socket
Flash synchronization1/100 s
Shutter
Shutter speed range2 s to 1/1000 s
General
Battery4 AA or AAA
Dimensions91 × 143 × 46 mm
Weight570 g
Made inJapan
Konica FT-1 with top in silver

The Konica FT-1[1] was the last SLR to be built both under the Konica name and by Konica themselves. The FT-1 was introduced in 1983 as an improvement on the earlier FS-1.

The changes included a different meter type (using silicon photodiode cells instead of the previously used gallium arsenide cells), improved quality of electronics, and a faster winder speed. It was available with black or silver top of the housing[2] and built until 1987.[3]

Various controls were moved around on the camera, including the ISO film speed setting, the on/off switch, and the self-timer. Newly added controls are the exposure compensation knob and a switch to toggle between continuous (up to 2 frames per second) and single shot exposures. There are some noteworthy features like a film advance indicator, self-timer LED, accessory terminal (use only for dedicated Konica accessories), and an aperture LED finder display. The range of shutterspeeds starts at 1/1000 s and ends at 2s. As in the Konica F, the first Single-lens reflex camera by Konica in 1960, the FT-1 has a vertical metal focal plane shutter, even if it does not reach 1/2000 s, the shortest speed of the F.[2]

The FT-1 uses as the FS-1[3] the Autoload-System for loading the film into the camera.[2]

Lenses are fixed with the Konica AR-mount. Konica offered Hexanon-lenses with focus from 15 mm up to 400 mm.[2] There was no low-cost or consumer line: All Konica lenses have good quality and got a good reputation: this includes the mechanics and less variation between samples.[4]

This model was commonly paired with a Konica 50mm Hexanon AR F1.8 lens and a Sunpak autozoom 333D thyristor flash.

  • AR-mount (of Hexanon 3.5/ 28 mm)
    AR-mount (of Hexanon 3.5/ 28 mm)
  • The FS-1 (predecessor, 1979 presented)[3]
    The FS-1 (predecessor, 1979 presented)[3]
  1. ^ "James's Camera Collection: Konica FT-1 Motor". www.jollinger.com. Retrieved 2020-03-18.
  2. ^ a b c d Butkus, Mike (2002-05-13). "Konica FT-1 instruction manual". Retrieved 2020-03-18.
  3. ^ a b c buhla.de, Konica FS-1. Retrieved 2020-10-21.
  4. ^ konicafiles.com, Hexanon AR lenses, especially chapter above the last big picture. Retrieved 6 November 2020.