( Konica TC - X ) هل تكون أصغر وأخف كاميرا عاكسة ؟ .. مجلة فن التصوير اللبنانية _ ع٤٢

(Konica TC-X) Will it be the smallest and lightest reflex camera?

Without reservation that it is made of plastic Konica indicates . To its new camera (TC-X) as the smallest and lightest 35mm (SLR) camera, it was made based on the Konica Autoflex (TC) that appeared in 1976, with manual and automatic exposure modes in addition to a shutter priority in the automatic state (SP). Automatic, where the user of the camera chooses the speed, so the camera sets up a pause / f automatically.

The rounded body angles and smooth surfaces help the TC-X feel like a really compact camera: only the camber of the pentaprism lens and the normal size of the lens detract from it.
Perhaps Konica should have equipped the TC-X with a 40mm 2.8-flat lens. Because such an optional standard lens will turn your camera into a pocket model.

At the same time, we find the (TC-X) suitable for those who hesitate between a small 35 camera and another full-scale reflective camera.

- Reinforced
The field in the (TC-X) looks quite elaborate, but the material used is a plastic resin reinforced with glass fiber. It is also indicated that the resistance to shock and heat here is equivalent to that of
It is available in a metal body.
This easy-to-use camera cuts out a lot of unnecessary extras, and so it is free from locking the mirror as well as from the (PC) socket, as the flash is synchronized through hot shoe limits only, as is the case with automatic winding.

- Shutter
Shutter speeds are also limited, although their maximum value is 1/1000. But it's enough to capture most activist action themes. The minimum value here is 1/8. The camera also lacks a range of slow speeds, and it saves photographers with Konica many troubles in the field of design, production, and cost, as very slow sites are only used with one percent of the exposures.. However, this same logic may We lose great speeds.

The flash sync speed is on the low side for a vertically moving metal shutter, with plenty of it to give coverage at 1/100th of a second or greater, and the large sync site is worth having.
To fill the flash in the light of the day. And to get rid of the ghostly effect in glamorous interior conditions.

We point out here that the shutter disk rotates easily, even (TC-X) placed on the eye.
In the center of the disc, we find the scroll handle, which is thick in shape but comfortable. The angle of its postponement - stand off angle is appropriate, and the sliding is very smooth.
On the upper front, the shutter button is wide and long-standing. It needs a relatively long press in order for it to work: and this is necessary First to lock the exposure - lock (AE) in the automatic state - and then to turn on the mechanical operation. The noise and vibration levels are somewhat above average.

This, and to lock the firing, we turn the main camera switch to (OFF). This takes the expression out of the electrical circuit as well.
For more notes on camera handling, the standard lens is pleasantly focused with little inertia, but the sample tested showed very little backlash; The TC-X also has a finger grip at the front, complemented by a thumb pad around the back.

Film speed:
Up top, on the left side of the camera, is the movie speed dial that rotates from 50 to 1600 aza.
As for the system, which is symbolized by (DX), it tends to spread widely, so that the majority of films sold are of the (DX) category, which works automatically to set the speed of the film in cameras equipped to deal with: DX.
As for the installation of the film, it is done without any hassle, and the interior is plastic. If we remove the lens, we will see a really large mirror, and the walls of the mirror box are covered with fleece (flock lined), while the floor and the cradle on the lower side are black without gloss.

- Specified view
In the viewfinder, we find the screen, which is of moderate brightness, contains a divided image, and focusing aids based on a microprism lens. On the left transilluminoited side, we find the vertical gradient aperture scale.
It goes from f/1.4 at the top to f/22. But there is a mask that will cover the higher orbit of the scale according to the maximum aperture of the composite lens.
In addition, there are signs in the scale to calibrate a strait, when we use an extension ring or a bellows, and to calibrate an extreme light.

There is a calibration needle on the scale if the camera is on automatic or manual operation. In the automatic case, half pressure comes on the shutter release to lock the needle. We can resort to a subject with confusing lighting - or an alternative to it, so we take the reading and lock it, then we go back and take the snapshot.

As for the manual action mode, it means that the aperture ring is moved away from (AE) and placed at a certain F / P stop.
Here, the needle performs its work in the limiter, with the transfer of the position from the viewfinder to the lens. It is normal in the case of manual operation, that we choose to work with an exposure that is slightly less or more than that indicated - there is no justification for using the manual mode if it is not for adjusting the reading only ⏹