Konica MT-100

The Konica MT-100 sits in an interesting moment of point-and-shoot history. Upon its 1989 introduction, point-and-shoot cameras had largely become fully automatic. The MT-100 isn’t quite that. It gives you autofocus, autoexposure, and motorized advance. But curiously, it offers no automatic film loading, a mechanical frame counter, and a very simple approach to controls. That’s because it’s an entry-level camera, built to a price. But these compromises don’t interfere where it counts, in how the lens renders and how the camera behaves in use. First impressions In the hand, the MT-100 is chunky — it’s not going to slip into your back pocket. But it’s not flimsy, and it’s light without feeling hollow. The controls layout is easy to understand at a glance. Sliding the lens cover open powers the camera on, and from there for most photos you need just press the shutter button. You get the hang of this camera after just a few frames. The click-whirr of the shutter and advance is confident…