View source for Konica FT-1 and FT-1 Pro Half

{{Flickr_image
|image_source= http://www.flickr.com/photos/14463685@N07/2980507145/in/pool-camerawiki
|image=  http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3278/2980507145_804201bf11_m.jpg
|image_align= left
|image_text= 
|image_by= Howard Somerville
|image_rights= wp
}}

The '''[[Konica]] FT-1''' was first offered in 1982, replacing the [[Konica FS-1|FS-1]] as the company's top-of-the-line, and is considered by many to be the best Konica electronic camera body. Very compact considering its features, it has a nice feel to it and there are chrome and black finished cameras. ALthough much of the exterior is polycarbonates, it is finished in a manner that looks and feels more like earlier, all-metal cameras. Generally speaking, the plastic covers of the camera are actually quite durable.

The FT-1 features a very accurate electronically controlled [[Copal]] shutter, very good [[light meter|metering]] system, built-in [[film advance|film winder]] (approx. 2 frames per second), and is the only electronic Konica to offer AE Lock. This is whereby light pressure on the [[shutter release]] button locks the exposure. It is a convenient method of metering when working with backlit subjects, among other situations.


{{Flickr_image
|image_source= http://www.flickr.com/photos/martintaylor/47999349/in/pool-camerawiki/
|image=  http://static.flickr.com/28/47999349_1d9875645a_m.jpg
|image_align= right
|image_text= 
|image_by= Martin Taylor
|image_rights= nc
}}

The FT-1 is powered by four AAA alkaline batteries (don't use rechargeable Nicads, they will damage the camera). The batteries fit into the grip on the right front of the camera. Alternatively, a slightly larger AA battery grip is optionally available, and will give more exposures before the batteries are exhausted. The battery compartment/grip is the camera's Achilles Heel. Batteries left inside to leak during storage and contacts damaged while removing or attaching the grip to the camera lead to malfunctions. Spare grip/compartments are getting harder to find. 

The [[ASA]] setting dial is around the manual film rewind knob on the FT-1.  There you will also find a convenient over/under-exposure control. The camera has a built-in [[self-timer]] and a bright viewfinder, with [[LED]]s that show exposure information. Exposures may be set manually, or automatically in a [[shutter priority|shutter preferred]] fashion (the photographer chooses the shutter speed and the camera sets the correct aperture). 

{{Flickr_image
|image_source= http://www.flickr.com/photos/martintaylor/47999327/in/pool-camerawiki/ 
|image=  http://farm1.staticflickr.com/28/47999327_f2595a3745_m.jpg
|image_align= left
|image_text= 
|image_by= Martin Taylor
|image_rights= nc
}}

The camera also has added flash functions with dedicated units, although it works well with non-dedicated flash, too. Using a dedicated flash, the camera is automatically set to a 1/90 shutter speed. 1/60 is the suggested speed for use with non-dedicated flashes, however many users have successfully used 1/125. Be careful about mounting a heavy flash in the hot shoe on top of the camera. A bump of twist of the flash can crack the polycarbonate top cover of the camera. 

On the left front of the camera is an electronic socket. This serves as a means of interfacing with a variety of accessories available for the camera. One is the Konica X36, the largest and most powerful flash Konishiroku offered. Some other accessories that link with the camera via that 5-pin connector are a radio remote control, two different length cable switches and one special dual release for use with a macro Auto Bellows, and an interval timer for time lapse photography.

There is no [[mirror lockup]] possible on the FT-1, but the camera is well-damped and shutter shake is not a typical problem at any shutter speed (2 seconds to 1/1000, plus B). Nor is [[depth of field|depth-of-field]] preview possible with this particular camera. 
{{br}}
<!--Commented out image, no longer available on Flickr, please remove if not returned by 04/2023 {{Flickr_image
|image_source= http://www.flickr.com/photos/96619515@N07/12688971445/in/pool-camerawiki/
|image= http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7403/12688971445_0d7babf545_n.jpg
|image_align= right
|image_text= Konica Ft-1 Pro Half, Filmgate
|image_by= Ross Telfer
|image_rights=  with permission
}} -->
The '''Konica FT-1 Pro Half''' (released in 1985) is actually a half frame version of the camera, making 72 exposures, 18mm x 24mm, on what would typically be a 36 exposure roll of film. There aren't a lot of FT-1 Pro Half cameras around, they are considered quite collectible. Most were not sold through retail channels. Instead, they were special gifts for corporate customers and executives. (Note: This is the same as the gold-plated T3N offered some years earlier, another rarity that was given as executive gifts and are now a rare collectible.) Outwardly, the FT-1 Pro Half can only be differentiated from the typical FT-1 by the model name imprinted on the front. All Pro Half are finished in Matte Chrome.
<!--Commented out image, no longer available on Flickr, please remove if not returned by 04/2023 {{Flickr_image
|image_source= http://www.flickr.com/photos/96619515@N07/12689455834/in/pool-camerawiki/
|image= http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7303/12689455834_6a779eae86_n.jpg
|image_align= left
|image_text= Konica Ft-1 Pro Half
|image_by= Ross Telfer
|image_rights=  with permission
}} -->
{{br}}
==Links==
* [http://www.butkus.org/chinon/konica/konica_ft-1/konica_ft-1.htm Konica FT-1 instruction manual] at [http://www.butkus.org/chinon/ Butkus.org]
* [http://www.collection-appareils.fr/x/html/page_standard.php?id_appareil=11301 Konica FT-1 Motor] on [http://www.collection-appareils.fr/general/html/francais.php www.collection-appareils.fr] by Sylvain Halgand (in French)
* JJ's French language page on the [https://web.archive.org/web/20190207231805/http://konica.awardspace.com/page7/page19/page19.html Konica FT-1 Motor] (archived)

[[Category: Japanese 35mm SLR]]
[[Category: Konica AR mount]]
[[Category:Konica|FT-1]]
[[Category: K]]
[[Category: F|Ft-1 Konica]]