I was talking with an extremely knowledgeable Konica guy recently who said he understands Konica is testing a prototype new SLR. (I'd rather not identify him, simply because I didn't ask his permission to pass this along and I don't want to have him bombarded with questions about this. Suffice it to say that many of you would know him and agree he's an authority in things Konica.) Apparently this is to be a design with an interchangeable back for film or digital "film." His contacts tell him this would be on the market in a couple of years -- maybe for the next photokina? He told me that he heard well before even the Konica USA folks about the Hexar RF, and that rumor bore out, so this may well be true also. I don't know any further details, like whether it's autofocus (I would think so) or whether the AR lenses would fit.

Has anyone else heard anything?

-- Anonymous, January 11, 2001

Answers

Now, that is interesting.

Hi Nick,

Thanks for dropping the inside rumor, quite interesting. Would explain why the Konica lenses and bodies are going up in price if this was true. Maybe they will be using the K/AR mount again, its not too far fetched because Contax made their manual Zeiss lenses "autofocus" via a new AF body.

Mike.

-- Anonymous, January 11, 2001

Aren't Rumours Wonderful?

Mike,

I also heard this some time ago from a "highly respected Konica source". Speculation is AF similar to the Contax system in which the film plane moves. BTW, If I were starting out in 35mm today, I think it would be with a Contax system. Digital would be really nice. I am keeping my fingers crossed and lenses ready.

-jwk-

-- Anonymous, January 11, 2001

Konica's New SLR -- rumor

Yes, just what I thought they would do myself too. i.e. The Konica SLR if is is AF to use the Contax AF style of system

Guess it is good that we all supported Konica all this time, it may pay off for us all if they use the K/AR mount lenses. If they don't, prices probally won't fall too much anyways.

Mike

-- Anonymous, January 13, 2001

New Konica SLR

Well, I'm certainly not in a position to confirm or deny that rumour, but I wouldn't be surprised. The success of the Hexar has to have made an impression on the corporate bigwigs.

If they do decide to build one, I hope they get in touch with me for my "wish list" of features from various old Konicas and some of their competitors, and some serious "don'ts!" (Like flashing red LEDs, what am I getting a speeding ticket here?)

Cheers!

-- Anonymous, January 11, 2001

New Konica SLR

Alan,re: your "wish list" of features on a new slr, why don't you post them on the chat board and maybe we can get a discussion going.Frankly, I've heard enough about "rising" prices on Konica gear. Have you given any thoughts on what lenses they should offer w/the camera,accessories,etc. In my travels/travails for a 500mm mirror I came across a Tamron 300 2.8 for $895 from a dealer far less than most at $1100-1200 plus. I thought this would bring a smile to your face?? Dave

-- Anonymous, January 14, 2001

Encourage Konica Japan to produce new slr line to fit the Konica II bayonet mount

Some time ago I suggested on this Konica 35mm SLR Users' Bulletin Board that we, Konica slr users throughout the world, write Konica Corporation to show our future support to buy a new line of slrs from the company. May I repeat my belief that the more we write the company about that, the better the chance that it will produce new slrs again. But may I also suggest that you write the parent company in Japan. That's where the real decisions are made. (Of course, copies of our letter to Konica USA, Canada or whatever won't harm, but writing the parent company, I believe, is most important. You can find the address on Konica's website (www.konica.com), on one of their webpages.) So write that letter in a kind but firm manner letting them know that you will buy an slr once they start producing them. One twist I used in my most recent letter to Konica Japan is to remind them that their point-and-shoot cameras, while OK for the general public, rob us, Konica slr users, of the ability to be creative in choosing our own f-stops and shutter speeds. Of course, we could purchase their Hexar and Hexar RF camera to gain that ability, but these viewfinder cameras still do not have the same level of creativity (also included in this is choice of lenses) that their old slrs had. And to spend 1,500 to 2 thousand dollars for the Hexar RF, sorry, but it's out of my price range. Only a select few will buy the Hexar RF. I told Konica Japan that I believe they literally would sell thousands of a new line of slrs. Fellow Konica slr users! Let them know that! Once they're convinced, they'll produce. After all, they operate only by one simple prinicple. Will the production be profitable? If it will, they'll go for it. They've operated under this principle for years and years. There's no reason to think they'd do otherwise in this issue. What we've got to do is convince them that we're ready to purchase them, once made. The more of us that do that, the better that chance that they'll go for it. So best of luck to all of us!

-- Anonymous, January 13, 2001