Konica's entry-level TC-X — shutter-priority AE SLR, AR mount, electronic shutter, 1985.
The Konica TC-X is a 35mm film SLR made by Konica and released in 1985 as a later, lighter entry-level body using the AR bayonet mount. It followed the earlier TC in Konica's compact SLR line and was among the last of the company's manual-focus film cameras. It was aimed at beginners and casual users.
It is a single-lens reflex for 35mm film using the Konica AR bayonet mount. The TC-X offers shutter-priority automatic exposure alongside a manual option, with through-the-lens metering. It uses an electronically controlled shutter and depends on a battery for its metered and automatic functions, so a working cell is needed to shoot in its normal modes. Its construction is lighter and more plastic-based than the older metal T-series bodies.
The TC-X suits students, beginners and travellers who want a light, easy Konica SLR with automatic exposure. Its low weight makes it convenient to carry, and the controls are simple to learn. Its strengths are portability and ease of use; its limits are the lighter build and full reliance on the battery for operation.
When buying used, check the foam light seals and mirror-damper foam for the usual age-related perishing. Test the shutter and metering, confirm advance and rewind, and make sure the battery-dependent auto and metered modes respond, as the camera will not operate normally with a flat cell. Check the battery compartment for corrosion, inspect the prism and screen for haze, and treat the lighter plastic body gently as worn examples can show cracked fittings.