fabian s. klinke

Konica C35 EF market check — 2026-07-25

notes.

Konica C35 EF market check — 2026-07-25

Exact model

  • Target: original black Konica C35 EF / Pikkari, launched in 1975.
  • Lens: Hexanon 38 mm f/2.8. Zone focus. Program AE. Built-in pop-up flash.
  • Later C35 EF “New” units keep the same name and add a self-timer and 1/250 s.
  • Exclude C35 EFP (38 mm f/4), C35 EF3 (1981), and C35 AF.
  • The German Camera Museum links the C35 EF to Andy Warhol.
  • No reliable source found for the claimed use in the TV series Dark. Treat that link as unverified.

Current stock

No current dealer or marketplace listing met all strict requirements: restored, fully tested, and confirmed shipping to Germany.

Best live tested unit

  • eBay item 236293487302, seller ein.japan.
  • Germany display: about €175.41 plus €20.53 shipping. Germany is an allowed destination.
  • Seller: business, 99.5% positive, 748 sales; 30-day free returns.
  • Tests: shutter and film advance work; flash fires and ready lamp works; lens and finder cleaned and clear; no haze, fungus, or battery corrosion.
  • Accessory: strap.
  • Missing proof: meter accuracy, film test, light-seal replacement, and full service.
  • Link: https://www.ebay.de/itm/236293487302

Low-price fallback

  • eBay item 227003056029, seller japan_super-sales.
  • Germany display: about €58.93 plus €30.79 shipping.
  • Seller: private, 100% positive, 2,328 sales; 30-day returns, buyer pays return shipping.
  • Claim: all camera functions work; optics look good.
  • Known fault: light seals have started to degrade. Seller says the camera can be used as-is.
  • Missing proof: film test, meter accuracy, flash charge time, battery corrosion, and service.
  • Link: https://www.ebay.de/itm/227003056029

Restored unit with unresolved shipping

  • Pinkoi item MQARtwKq, seller filmcameravogue, Taiwan.
  • Price: €263.11; stock 1; shop score 4.7/5 from 3 reviews.
  • Work: body cleaned and light seals replaced; seller says functions are normal and finder is clean.
  • Flash may need 30–40 seconds to charge after storage.
  • The product page selects Germany but returns no shipping method or price. It is not a confirmed Germany-delivery option.
  • Link: https://en.pinkoi.com/product/MQARtwKq

Sold restored benchmarks

  • mi-na Japan: fully checked, repaired, and adjusted; new flash capacitor; three-second flash charge; clean optics; three-month warranty; case, cap, strap, batteries, film, and manuals. ¥19,800. Current stock sold out.
  • Pinkoi mi-na: disassembled and cleaned; meter checked; seals replaced; focus adjusted; flash capacitor replaced. €141.11 with free shipping. Current stock sold out.
  • Paramount Camera & Repair: complete CLA and 90-day warranty. Sold out.
  • Kamerastore: no Certified stock; current units failed inspection.

Germany and EU follow-up

No current Germany or EU listing met the strict target: restored, fully tested, clean optics and battery bays, working meter and flash, and return rights.

Best current Germany value

  • Kleinanzeigen, Berlin-Neukölln, listing 3170084492. The listing has ended and is no longer available.
  • €70 plus shipping from €2.99: €72.99 minimum delivered in Germany.
  • Original C35 EF with Hexanon 38 mm f/2.8.
  • Seller says it works, exposed film in 2023, and the built-in flash makes party photos.
  • Case included; its rear button is broken.
  • Private seller active since 2015 with TOP satisfaction, friendly, and reliable badges.
  • No import duty or import VAT.
  • No restoration claim, return right, or proof for current film use, meter accuracy, shutter speeds, clean optics, battery corrosion, seals, or flash output and recycle time.
  • Link: https://www.kleinanzeigen.de/s-anzeige/konica-c35-ef-analog-kamera-point-and-shoot/3170084492-245-3397

Other EU checks

  • Kamerastore, Finland: eight original EF bodies at €32–60, all rated “Not Passed.” The €50 example has a dead frame counter, loose advance lever, and one-stop underexposure. The 30-day return policy does not make these suitable.
  • BromureFilm, France: film-tested, serviced, three-month warranty, and 14-day returns, but sold out at €180.
  • Eye Out Camera, France: rebuilt, clear lens, meter checked, new seals, and 12-month warranty, but sold out at €499.
  • eBay France item 257321373012: €45, tested and working claim, private seller with 100% positive feedback and 747 sales. No returns. Germany shipping and total cost are not shown, so it is not a verified Germany-delivery option.
  • Current eBay Germany/EU results otherwise resolve to defective or parts-only C35 EF bodies, or to excluded EF-P and EF3 models.

The ended Berlin unit is no longer an option. The Japan option remains the safest live listing.

eBay refresh — 2026-07-25

Best cheaper live option

  • eBay item 227003056029, seller japan_super-sales, Japan.
  • €58.93 plus €30.79 shipping: €89.72 before any import charge.
  • Seller states that all functions work. The shutter is generally accurate from low to high speeds, the meter works without an accuracy guarantee, and the flash fires.
  • Lens and finder have no stated haze, fungus, or separation. An object filter is included.
  • Light seals are degrading, but the seller says the camera can be used as-is.
  • 100% positive feedback; 30-day returns with buyer-paid return shipping.
  • No film test, flash recycle-time test, meter calibration, or battery-bay corrosion statement.
  • Estimated upper delivered cost: about €109.77 plus any carrier fee if eBay does not settle import VAT and the temporary €3 duty at checkout.
  • Link: https://www.ebay.de/itm/227003056029

Other checked live options

  • eBay item 227008911294: €59.35 plus €30.79 shipping. The meter and shutter work, flash fires, and lens and finder are clear. The seals need replacement. Camera only. Same seller and return terms as item 227003056029. The first item is cheaper and has less severe seal wording.
  • eBay item 358794226896: €115.19 with free shipping from Japan. Shutter, advance, meter, flash, and self-timer work. No film test. Some seals are missing; the finder has slight fungus and haze. Seller camerahubjapan, 100% positive; 30-day buyer-paid returns. Reject for optics and seals.
  • eBay item 800394377790: €59 with free Germany delivery from Foto Sandor. Shutter and meter work, but the flash does not. Listed as defective. Reject.
  • eBay item 168547768483: €40 bid plus €8.18 Germany shipping, case included. No function test or return right. Reject as unverified.
  • eBay France item 257321373012 has sold. It is no longer an option.

Final purchase set — 2026-07-25

  • Choose eBay item 227003056029. A final live check found no new listing with a better mix of price and verified operation.
  • Camera and Germany shipping: €58.93 + €30.79 = €89.72 before any extra import collection.
  • Seller still states that all functions work, the shutter is generally accurate across its speed range, the meter works without an accuracy guarantee, and the flash fires.
  • Lens and finder remain described as free of haze, fungus, separation, and scratches. A lens filter is included.
  • The light seals are starting to degrade but are described as usable. The camera has not been film-tested.
  • Buy one pack of 675 / PR44 zinc-air hearing-aid batteries for the meter. Rossmann Rubin type 675 costs €3.79 for six and was available for delivery.
  • Keep a pre-cut C35 EF seal kit ready: Antikea Photo, one door seal plus three body seals and instructions, €12 before shipping. Install only if inspection shows sticky, hard, broken, or missing foam, or if the first test roll leaks.
  • The user already owns Kodak Ultramax 400 and AA batteries. No other required purchase.

Import treatment

  • Germany applies 19% import VAT to commercial imports.
  • For IOSS marketplace sales at or below €150 intrinsic value, the marketplace can collect VAT at purchase.
  • Since 1 July 2026, the EU also applies a temporary €3 customs duty per low-value item up to €150. A carrier fee can still apply if the seller or marketplace does not prepay all charges.
  • Use the marketplace Germany total as the main estimate. Keep €3 plus a possible carrier handling fee as a margin.

C35 EF checks

  • Flash: require repeated firing and a stated charge time. A working flash once does not prove a healthy capacitor.
  • Meter: require a reading checked against a known meter across bright and dim light.
  • Shutter and aperture: require all program states, half-press exposure lock, and blade movement.
  • Optics: reject haze, fungus, and separation.
  • Battery bays: inspect both the meter cell bay and the two-AA flash bay. Corrosion can spread into wires.
  • Seals: require replacement, not “usable as-is.”
  • Film transport: require advance, rewind, counter, and a processed test roll.
  • Battery: the meter was designed for a 1.3 V PX675 mercury cell; a 1.5 V replacement can work, but a calibrated adapter or zinc-air cell gives safer meter accuracy.

Sources

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