The Auto-Reflex and Autoreflex is a series of 35mm SLR cameras made by Konica from 1965 to 1988. All these models have the Konica AR bayonet.
Konica AR-mount
The Konica AR camera lens mount was introduced in 1965 with the Konica Autoreflex (Autorex on the Japanese market), along with a range of lenses. It features a comparably short flange focal distance of 40.50 mm for a 35 mm film SLR camera. Its diameter is 47 mm. The focal range of Konica Hexanon lenses went from 21mm to 1000mm; at the start one zoom 47-100mm f3.5 Hexanon AR-H was offered. The Konica AR mount SLR system was discontinued in late 1988.
For Konica-lenses with the older F-mount adapters were available.
Konica Auto-Reflex, Autorex, and Revue Auto-Reflex
The Konica Auto-Reflex of 1965 was the first focal-plane-shutter auto exposure 35mm SLR; hence the name. This model and its rarer, meterless companion the Konica Auto-Reflex P are the only models where "Auto-Reflex" is hyphenated. These are also the only two SLRs that ever offered a choice of full- or half-frame exposures, switched by a lever on top of the camera. The frame size can be changed between 24×36 landscape and 18×24 portrait in mid-roll.
Autorex is the name for the domestic Japanese market. In Germany the camera was also sold as Revue Auto-Reflex.
For the Auto-Reflex, the meter sensor is mounted on the front, right-hand side of the camera. This is not TTL metering, although it does offer a shutter-preferred, auto-exposure mode. TTL auto exposure appeared in a Konica a few years later, with the Autoreflex T (FTA in Japan).
It has the new Konica Bayonet II mount, which is also often called K/AR mount. PX675 type mercury batteries are only needed for the light meter. Shutter speeds run from 1s to 1/1000 and B.
Lenses, Konica named them Hexanon, with focal lengths from 21 mm to 1000 mm and a 47-100mm f3.5 Hexanon AR-H were offered; additionally a bellows and an angle viewfinder.
All versions of this model were available in both matte chrome and all-black finishes. All-black cameras are considerably rarer and tend to be more valuable.
Lenses offered with the Auto-Reflex/Autorex are a bit unusual, too. They originally did not have a registration notch on the rear, which was needed with latter TTL metered models but was unnecessary on this model. The notch tells the camera the lens' maximum aperture. At the time the later models were introduced, many Auto-Reflex/FTA lenses were sent in for a service upgrade to modify them for use with the TTL models. For a period of time, factory service facilities performed this service for free. The result is that un-modified original Auto-Reflex/Autorex lenses are somewhat unusual today.
Also, normal lenses sold with the Revue version of this camera were often unlabelled, fitted with a plain finish ring that did not have the Hexanon name on it.
Konishiroku apparently did not rebrand any of their K/AR mount SLR models for sale through Montgomery Ward in the United States, as they had with the FP in the earlier mount. They did continue to market a number of rebadged rangefinder cameras through Wards, however (EEMatic and Auto S models, for example).
Konica Auto-Reflex P, Autorex P, and Revue Auto-Reflex SP
The Konica Auto-Reflex P is basically a stripped-down Auto-Reflex without light meter and therefore without auto-exposure. In Japan it was sold as Autorex P, in Germany as the Revue Auto-Reflex SP.
It is fully mechanical and therefore does not have batteries. The shutter speeds are the same: 1s to 1/1000 and B. As with the Auto-Reflex, the frame size can be switched between 24×36mm landscape and 18×24mm portrait mid-roll.
There is a special accessory light meter offered for use with the P models.
It is believed all versions of these models were only offered in matte chrome finish.
There is in existence a black finish Konica Auto-Reflex P camera which has just come to light. Serial number 857560. This camera is in full working order and good cosmetic condition. Picture can be made available.
Autoreflex T, FTA, and Revue TTL
The Autoreflex T was the first focal plane shutter 35mm SLR with auto-exposure and TTL metering combined in one body. In Japan it was sold as FTA, in Germany as Revue Autoreflex TTL.
It is fully mechanical with shutter-priority auto exposure. The batteries (two PX 675 type mercury cells) were only needed for the CdS light meter. The shutter speed range was from 1s to 1/1000 and B.