Konica TC-X 35mm film SLR w/ Hexanon AR 50mm f1.8 lens + manual (serial 268882)

The Konica TC-X is a compact and very lightweight shutter-priority manual focus 35mm SLR from the 1985. This is, by far, the lightest Konica AR series camera ever made and is noteworthy for being the first-ever primarily plastic 35mm SLR. The company received a lot of flak for this design decision at the time but within a few years every major camera maker was selling a plastic SLR. 

We're huge Konica fans (the Autoreflex T3N is our main and favourite-ever SLR) and were expecting to dislike the TC-X but, in actuality, we found it quite nice to use. The body is barely half the weight of the T3N (375g vs 740g) and its viewfinder is quite large and bright. And its meter only requires a single AAA battery. Our only real gripe was that we found its shutter release 'feel' and sound to be clunkier than the larger all-metal Konicas (maybe the plastic doesn't dampen the sound as effectively?). 

The included Konica AR 50mm f1.8 lens offers very good performance. The original user manual in English, French, German, Swedish, Italian, Spanish, and Japanese is included.

Battery information

This camera is fully mechanical but the light-meter/shutter-priority auto-exposure requires a single AAA alkaline battery.

Konica estimates 2 years (!) life from a single battery (we recommend removing the battery if the camera will be sitting unused for more than a few months to avoid the risk of a leaky battery damaging circuitry). 

Condition notes

This camera is fully functioning with very good shutter and autoexposure accuracy. The camera is also in very good cosmetic condition (see photos) with the most noteworthy blemish being some tarnish on the shutter release button (which is one of few metal parts on the exterior). The included Konica AR 50mm F1.8 lens is in very good condition and includes a front cap.

Manual

The manual in multiple languages is available here: https://www.butkus.org/chinon/konica/konica_tc-x/konica_tc-x-splash.htm

Specifications

• Type: 35mm SLR camera with shutter-priority TTL AE mechanism
• Format: 24 x 36mm
• Standard lenses: Hexanon AR 50mm f/1.8, Hexanon AR 50mm f/1.4
• Lens mount: Bayonet type Konica Mount
• Aperture control: Fully automatic and manual
• Shutter: Vertical transport mechanical focal plane shutter, "B" 1/8--1/1000 sec
• Flash sync: X sync at 1/8 through 1/60 sec
• Self-timer: 10 sec. delay (approx.)
• Viewfinder: Real image eye-level pentaprism Finder with split image range finder, microdiaprism ring and peripheral matte screen; field of viewfinder is 92 percent 0.87 x with 50mm lens
• Finder display: Needle indication of aperture from f/1.4 to f/22, with over and under exposure warnings, manual operation signed, stopped-down metering mark and AE coupling range indication.
• Metering system: Through-the-lens center weighted metering at full aperture, CdS cell
• Exposure control: Shutter-priority AE mechanism, with standard Hexanon AR lenses, AE mechanism is coupled with film speed, shutter speed and widest lens aperture; correct aperture indication for manual metering, in stopped-down mode, meter coupled with film speed, shutter speed and aperture
• AE coupling range: EVS (f/1.4, 1/15 see) through EV18 (f/16, 1/1000 see) for ISO 100
• Film speed: ISO 50 through 1600 (1/3 step). Both of automatic setting (DX code film) and manual setting are possible.
• Power switch: Turns battery on/off and locks shutter release
• AE Lock mechanism: Partial depression of shutter locks AE mechanism (for exposure compensation)
• Power source: Single LR03 or R03 dry battery (AAA size)
• Film loading: Konica "easy load" system; film check window for DX type film
• Film advance: Single action top lever, wind angle of 135 degrees, 20 degrees play.
• Film rewind: Crank driven rewind mechanism, film rewind button resets automatically
• Frame counter: Additive type, auto-reset
• Size, weight: Body 130 x 84 x 44mm (5. I I x 3.11 1 x 1.73"). 375g ( 13.2 oz) (without battery)