Analog album images with the 1975 Konica C35 EF, or the 'Pikkari,' the world's first compact camera with a built-in electronic flash.
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The Konica C35 EF, a historically significant development of compact 35mm cameras, is notable for being the first compact camera with a built-in electronic flash. The camera, nicknamed 'Pikkari' in Japan, was introduced in 1975 and gained the limelight for being a favorite of pop artist Andy Warhol.
The camera, which integrates both manual film load and wind functions with automatic exposure and flash integration system, is fitted with a 6-element Konica Hexanon 38mm f/2.8 lens, acknowledged as capable of delivering sharp and contrasty results.
Focusing is a zone system with settings for 1, 1.5, 3 meters, and infinity with pictorial guides, while 'exposure control' is fully automatic via a CdS metering cell.
The Konica C35 EF requires a 1.35V mercury cell (PX675) to power its metering system, while the flash unit needs 2xAA batteries to work. The lens has a 46mm filter thread for optical accessories.
Later models (from 1977) of the C35 EF, seen with an Orange flash button, have a self-timer added and a higher maximum shutter speed (1/250 second).
Album Images
For its time and place, the C35 EF is a competent camera, delivering surprisingly capable results in favorable lighting conditions. Colors rendered by the Hexanon lens are sharp and vibrant, and the optics perform admirably across the aperture range.
Konica C35 EF
Vulnerability, however, is inherent to its age, as well as corrosion of its electrical connectivity and the battery compartment, which is well-documented. With parts not easily available and repairs almost impossible, cameras from this era are, at most, at the end of their usable life.
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