Topic: Konica TC question

[astrobeck]

Hi all,
I have a Konica TC that will only use the largest open aperture when shooting.
When I select any aperture, like f/16, it just uses f/ 1.7 for every shot.
It's the camera and not the lens as the lens works fine on one of my other cameras.
Any ideas?

I love Hexanon glass!
Thanks!

[Bryan]

Probably the aperture of the lens sticking and not stopping down properly when you take a shot.  That’s a common problem with old lenses.  Is it doing it with more than one lens?  If that’s the case it could be a mechanical problem with the camera. 

[astrobeck]

it's not the aperture sticking...it's the camera.
This lens works fine on another Konica camera that I have.

Any ideas on a fix, or do I just need to chalk this one off the board....
thanks.

[Pete_R]

There will be a lever that engages with the lens to stop it down. If you know which lever on the lens operates the aperture then you should be able to identify its mating lever on the camera. Cock and fire the camera and watch the lever to see if it moves. Also check if it's damaged/bent that might stop it engaging with the lens properly.

If the lever doesn't move, then there's something internal at fault. Depends how far you're prepared to go with it.

There's some service manuals for the T3 at https://learncamerarepair.com/productlist.php?category=2&secondary=6 which, assuming they take the same lenses as your TC will have a similar aperture mechanism (I guess) so may help.

[astrobeck]

There will be a lever that engages with the lens to stop it down. If you know which lever on the lens operates the aperture then you should be able to identify its mating lever on the camera. Cock and fire the camera and watch the lever to see if it moves. Also check if it's damaged/bent that might stop it engaging with the lens properly.

If the lever doesn't move, then there's something internal at fault. Depends how far you're prepared to go with it.

There's some service manuals for the T3 at https://learncamerarepair.com/productlist.php?category=2&secondary=6 which, assuming they take the same lenses as your TC will have a similar aperture mechanism (I guess) so may help.

Thanks for the tip and the link!
I've watched the lever thing inside the camera and it moves...sometimes. Since the seals and mirror bumper have turned to goo, I expect some little piece of that debris has fallen inside and is causing the issue.
In the meantime, I have talked with Greg Weber in Nebraska, who seems to be the Konica guy here in the states.
My camera has been sent off to him for adjustment, cleaning and a change to make it use a modern battery.
I only paid 18.00 for the camera, but it is in such good cosmetic shape I thought I would splurge and have it spiffed up. Besides, who can argue with Hexanon glass.

In the near future I may be able to share some results from it on the weekend thread. 

[Pete_R]

I was going to suggest Greg but I thought I read somewhere (maybe RFF) that he was no longer working. Obviously wrong.

[astrobeck]

I guess he is still doing repairs....

I emailed him after finding him just by digging the web.
He called me the next day after I emailed and we discussed what the camera was and wasn't doing and he said send it, so I did.
He said he would call and talk more about the KonicaTC after he has it in hand which according to tracking, is today!
I'm excited to have it working nicely as it is small and I think good looking as far as a cheapish 35mm goes.
And again...that Hexanon glass....

[Francois]

I once met a girl who was working for a local paper and who still used one... it was something like 10 years ago when all the other reporters had gone digital.
She was telling me that working for a small paper, the number of photos they require is very small and she couldn't justify upgrading.
Now she probably just uses her phone.