Konica C35 EF
Released in 1975 the Konica C35 EF was the first compact 35mm with a built in flash. In Japan it was nicknamed Pikkari. It was updated in 1977 with a self timer, added 1/250 to the shutter speed and changed to flash release to orange.
The C35 EF was supposedly one of Andy Warhol's favorites. The small size and built in flash make it an easy to carry and use camera. Build quality is very nice and much better than many of the other compact 35mm with built in flash that followed. A perfect combination for the socialite on the go.
Power if from a 1.35v battery (I used a EPX76) to run the meter and 2 AA to run the flash.
My Take:
I found mine (first version) for $8 so my risk was low. Mine does not look like it got much use and even came with the original plastic neck strap attached. I liked the feel of the C35 in the hand and found the zone focus simple to use. Feet and meters on the lens and icons in the viewfinder. The viewfinder is partly blocked by the lens and shows the aperture that will be used.
The images are what won me over. Nice crisp images for such a basic camera. The EF seem to be readily available with a very wide price range. I did not have to pay much and got a good one. Given the age, I'm sure that lots of them are in bad shape but if you have a good one, enjoy.