Wards AM 551 (Konica S2)

Rebadged Konica S2, Dayton Ohio

Wards camera? I had never heard of Wards before, so I had to do a little research. Turns out there was a large department store chain named after it's founder, Montgomery Wards, who pioneered the mail order catalog business, a few years before Sears introduced his more famous version. During the height of their popularity several of the large department stores sold cameras manufactured by other companies under their own brand names such as Tower (Sears) or Wards. I probably would have passed this camera up, but then I saw the lens was marked "Hexar", meaning it was a Konica rangefinder, which are well known for their sharp lenses. The Wards AM 551 is a renamed Konica S2 (introduced in 1962), a cult favorite. Unfortunately, I later discovered that the aperture is stuck at f/16. But the shutter works fine so I figured I'd make the best of it. I stuck in a roll of high speed film and waited for a bright sunny day here in Dayton.
Konica S2 Wards AM 551 classic camera rangefinder
Downtown Dayton, Ohio

At least with the aperture stuck at f/16 I didn't have to worry about depth of field!
Dayton Konica S2 Wards AM 551 ddx downtown film iso 800 neopan 400 riverscape street Scan 120205 0011
Somewhere in Dayton
Dayton Konica S2 Wards AM 551 ddx film iso 800 neopan 400 parking meter riverscape street Scan 120205 0010
We are watching you!
Dayton Konica S2 Wards AM 551 ddx film iso 800 neopan 400 riverscape sign warning Scan 120205 0007
Federal Courthouse with reflection of the AT&T building across the street
Dayton Konica S2 Wards AM 551 ddx film glass iso 800 neopan 400 reflection riverscape Scan 120205 0008
Dayton Konica S2 Wards AM 551 apartment building ddx film iso 800 neopan 400 riverscape stairs street Scan 120205 0022
Church doors
Dayton Konica S2 Wards AM 551 architecture church ddx door film iso 800 neopan 400 riverscape Scan 120205 0009
Dam
Dam Dayton Konica S2 Wards AM 551 ddx driftwood film iso 800 neopan 400 riverscape water Scan 120205 0001
A trio of rather nonchalant geese at riverscape
Dayton Konica S2 Wards AM 551 birdg canada goose ddx film geese iso 800 neopan 400 river riverscape Scan 120205 0004
These were taken shortly after a series of storms hit the region, so the river was moving along at a pretty good pace.
Dayton Konica S2 Wards AM 551 chain ddx film iso 800 lock neopan 400 riverscape rust Scan 120205 0016
It was actually really peaceful walking along the river, in the past I've only been there during city events. This time it was pretty empty, with only a few bike riders out.
Dayton Konica S2 Wards AM 551 ddx film iso 800 neopan 400 riverscape stairs steps Scan 120205 0013
Dayton Konica S2 Wards AM 551 brick ddx film iso 800 neopan 400 riverscape wall Scan 120205 0014
Graffiti
Dayton Konica S2 Wards AM 551 ddx film graffiti iso 800 neopan 400 painting riverscape wall Scan 120205 0019
Dayton Konica S2 Wards AM 551 ddx fence film iso 800 neopan 400 riverscape street Scan 120205 0020
It's the Peace Mobile! Parked next to the Dayton International Peace Museum.
Winter 2012
Neopan 400 exposed at ISO 800, developed in DD-X
Dayton Konica S2 Wards AM 551 bus ddx film iso 800 neopan 400 peace mobile riverscape Scan 120205 0021

Through an old lens

Wards AM 551 (Konica S2)