Konica Auto S21965

History

Released 1965, succeeding the Konica Auto S (1963). Production ran three years until 1968 when the Auto S3 arrived (a smaller, lighter body with a 38/1.8 lens). The S2's Hexanon 45/1.8 became the lens that S2 owners refused to give up — for many users, the S2 is the optical peak of Konica's fixed-lens rangefinder era.

Why It Matters

Sharpness reviews of vintage 60s rangefinder lenses consistently rate the Hexanon 45/1.8 in the top tier — alongside the Canonet QL17 GIII's 40/1.7 and the Olympus 35-SP's 42/1.7. The S2 itself is heavier and bulkier than those alternatives (770 g vs the QL17's 620 g), but the build quality is excellent and the lens performance at f/2.8–8 rivals any 35mm rangefinder of the era.

For 2026 buyers, an Auto S2 at $120–250 is a remarkable deal for the lens quality. The trade-off is bulk (heavier than most fixed-lens RFs of the era) and the mercury-battery dependency.

Lenses & Accessories

Lens fixed. Standard hot/cold-shoe flashes work via leaf shutter all-speed sync. Original case is leather.

Sample Photographers / Notable Use

• Cult favorite among fixed-lens-RF enthusiasts.
• Featured in 35mmc and Casual Photophile as "the underrated 60s rangefinder."

References

• Camera-Wiki: Konica Auto S2
• Wikipedia: Konica Auto S2