Throwback Edit Version: I edited this in March 2025, checked the links and converted it to the new WordPress blocks format if needed.

I found this really clean Konica in the junk bin. The outside was perfect, but the seals had totally disintegrated. After changing those, I put in a battery and loaded a film. It used the old mercury battery, but the hearing aid replacement worked well and the needle in the viewfinder responded immediately. So far so good.

I remembered that this type of battery was rated at a higher voltage so I needed to set the film speed at one stop lower. That meant 200asa film would be set at 160asa. The camera is always on so it does need a lens cap to save battery life. I didn’t have one so I kept it in a bag when not in immediate use.

The clean state of the outside made me think this camera was newer than it was. After looking at this website I realised it was from 1968, wow someone looked after it. The C35 is small, light and a pleasure to hold. It is a zone camera and you can see the settings clearly in the viewfinder.  Inside the viewfinder is a bright rectangle which is the photo frame. There is space around the rectangle so don’t forget this section will not be in the photo. This website has more information and a great review.

I would be really lucky to find a working camera in such great condition, so did it work?

Yeap, it worked inside and outside even on dull days. The f2.8 aperture still managed to give speeds quick enough to freeze running children. I used a film that I had used in another camera, hence the low number of shots. All the ones I took were correctly exposed.

Keep or sell: I doubt I will find such a clean version of this camera again so I am inclined to keep it…but the same issues apply, I have too many keepers. I eventually gave this one to a friend.