Landmark Konica compact rangefinder from 1968 with excellent Hexanon lens, one of the cameras that defined the compact category.
The Konica C35 Automatic is a compact 35mm rangefinder camera from 1968 that was one of the first truly compact cameras, earning the nickname Jasupin (just pin, meaning auto-focus) in Japan for its innovative approach to simplified photography. The C35 was a landmark camera that helped define the compact camera category.
The fixed Hexanon 38mm f/2.8 lens delivers excellent image quality with the optical heritage that made Konica respected among serious photographers. The automatic exposure system uses a CdS meter to set the lens aperture automatically in a programmed mode, while the bright viewfinder with rangefinder focusing provides precise manual focus control.
Build quality is compact and well-engineered with a metal body that feels solid despite its small dimensions. The camera is significantly smaller than contemporary SLRs, making it a practical everyday carry camera decades before the term existed. The leaf shutter is whisper-quiet for discreet street photography.
The Konica C35 has gained significant appreciation on the used market as photographers rediscover its excellent Hexanon optics, compact design, and the satisfying rangefinder focusing experience. It represents one of the best values in quality compact film cameras, delivering sharp results with distinctive Konica colour rendering.