Konica FP-1

The Konica FP-1, introduced in 1981 and discontinued in 1983, was a 35mm SLR camera with TTL metering and a large range of exchangeable optics.

Konica FP-1
The Konica FP-1 with AR 40mm f/1.8 lens
Overview
Type35mm SLR
Lens
Lens mountKonica AR-mount
Focusing
FocusManual
Exposure/metering
ExposureProgrammed AE
Flash
FlashHot shoe
General
Battery4LR44 or equivalent 6V battery
Dimensions140 × 89 × 45 mm, 495 g (1.091 lb)
Made inJapan

The camera was quite unusual: shutter speed and aperture was automatically set by the camera (AE mode), with no user interaction possible. This reduced the user's workload to focusing, releasing the shutter and winding the film. Film winding could be further simplified by attaching an "Auto-Winder F" to the camera house.

Most SLR cameras would at this time be fully manual, with an option of using one or more automatic exposure modes. The FP-1 was basically a point-and-shoot camera, like most viewfinder cameras, but with the benefit of TTL metering and exchangeable lenses. A similar camera, for the same entry-level user group, is the later Canon T-50.

The AE mode itself was unusual. The camera operated with only 3 possible apertures, f/2.8, f/5.6 or f/11, and would use shutter speeds from 1/30 to 1/1000 sec. in 1/3 light value steps. A f/1.8 lens would have full light strength in the viewfinder, but at exposure the max. aperture would be f/2.8. An e.g. f/3.5 lens would use f/5.6 as the max aperture during exposure.

The only exposure control the user could exercise was to 'cheat' the camera by deliberately mis-setting the film speed.

Like the Konica FC-1 the FP-1 has the Autoload film loading system: The camera takes the film tip automatically and there is no need to fire the shutter until the first frame is reached.[1] It is possible to use a separate winder, the "Auto Winder F".

The camera handles and performs well, but suffers from a very loud shutter/mirror operation. The battery control can be cheated: with a lithium battery, the battery control lamp can indicate 'OK', but not have enough energy to release the shutter. The camera has a sturdy feel, except for the very flimsy battery compartment cover. Without a winder attached, large amounts of dust can (and will!) enter the camera through the winder socket.

Lenses

Lenses are fixed with the Konica AR-mount. With some third-part optics – some authors specifically name Tamron's Adaptall-II – prolonged use can cause excessive wear on the shutter mechanism.

Konica offered interchangeable lenses with focus from 15 mm up to 2,000 mm. All lenses by Konica are named Hexanon. They have a good quality and got a good reputation, mechanics and less variation between samples included.[2][3]

This model was commonly paired with a Konica 40mm Hexanon AR F1.8 lens. The weight of this pancake lens, which has six lenses, is 140 g only. It got an excellent reputation.[4]

References
  • Anonymous. Konica FP-1 Users manual, 207-1G, copyright 1981 – Konishiroku
  1. buhla.de, Konica FP-1 1981-1983. Retrieved 6 November 2020.
  2. konicafiles.com, Hexanon AR lenses, especially chapter above the last big picture. Retrieved 6 November 2020.
  3. buhla.de, Konica SLR lenses 1960-1987. Retrieved 5 November 2020.
  4. altglas-container.de 16 December 2015, Konica Hexanon AR 40mm f1.8 Archived 24 October 2020 at the Wayback Machine (German), retrieved 2020-11-04.
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