 Fujica ST801
My first Fujica SLR and the last Fujica with fully mechanical shutter. Top of the line of Fujica SLRs in 1972. I am happy to own just this model.
A year later came ST901 with electronically controlled shutter.
The Fujica ST801 is a 35 mm single lens reflex camera with a through-the-lens (TTL) exposure meter coupled with the shutter speed and lens aperture. As you set aperture or shutter speed, light-emitting diodes (LEDs) glow in one or two of seven positions on a scale indicating correct and over- or under-exposure. The meter switch is incorporated in the shutter release, which can accordingly be locked. The meter operates at full aperture with the appropriate Fujinon lenses and can also be used for stopped-down metering.
Fujica ST801 is the first camera to have LED (Light Emitting Diodes) Needle-less Metering System. It also has Through-The-Lens Full Aperture Averaging Silver Battery Meter with Silicon Photocells. The light is measured by Silicon photocells, which react to light tens of times faster and more accurately than conventional CdS photocells. Exposure is indicated by seven light-emitting diodes in the viewfinder instead of the usual meter needle. The diode light can be moved several steps above normal exposure or below when special exposure effects are desired. Since the light energy reflected from the subject is converted directly into electrical energy in the form of diode light and no mechanical mechanism is used, the exposure indication is quick and meter deviation caused by shock or mechanical failure is eliminated.
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 FUJINON EBC (Electron Beam Coating) Lens
The key elements of each of the ST801's interchangeable lenses are coated with 11 layers to assure complete protection against flare and ghost images as well as producing the ultimate in color definition and picture sharpness." (text is borrowed from Fujica ST801 manual)
An open aperture feature makes the M42 mount non standard and when using a non Fuji lens you may cause difficulties to focus infinity and what is worse the lens could stuck on the camera.
Fujinon EBC 1:4,5 / 200mm (on the camera)
Fujinon 1:3,5-4,5 / 43-75mm (right)
Fujinon EBC 1:1,4 / 50mm (left)
Fujinon-SW EBC1: 3,5/ 28mm (below, on the camera)
Fujinon EBC 1: 1,8 / 55mm (below)
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Fujica ST801 (older version)
A charmingly bronzed older version of ST801 is similar to the later version except the FUJICA badge, which is "realized" with embossed chrom characters.
Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd., established in 1934, based on a government plan to establish a domestic photographic film manufacturing.
In 1948 the company began producing cameras and manufacturing of digital cameras started in 1988. |
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Specifications |
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| Type |
35mm focal-plane shutter single-lens reflex camera with TTL exposure meter coupled with the shutter and diaphragm |
Film Advance |
Single-stroke lever, 193 winding angle. |
| Frame Size |
24 x 36mm 135 cartridge |
Frame Counter |
Automatic resetting additive type. |
| Normal Lens |
EBC FUJINON 1:1.4 50mm. 49mm screw-in filter. |
Film Rewind |
Hand crank |
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Flash Synchronization |
FP, X, Hotshoe |
| Shutter |
Focal plane shutter, B, 1-1/2000 sec., FP and X contacts, built-in self-timer, hot shoe, switch-on switch-off shutter release button. |
Lens Mount |
Praktica screw mount, M42 |
| Viewfinder |
Pentaprism with Fresnel lens, 0.96x magnification . Focusing with microprism and split-image. Exposure control with light emitting diodes. Shutter speed visible in viewfinder. |
Dimensions |
133 x 91 x 80mm (with 1:1.4, 50mm normal lens). |
| Mirror |
Quick return type |
Weight |
900g. with F1.4 lens + batteries 635g. body alone |
Exposure
Meter |
Average light TTL measurement with close-down aperture. Match needle indicator in viewfinder |
Power |
One 6-volt silver battery (Mallory PX28, Eveready No. 544). |
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Fujica ST605
Fujica ST605 was introduced in1977 as an updated version of Fujica ST 601. Now with a silver oxide batteries (former version had mercury batteries) and an increased ASA range. It is a typical SLR camera with stop-down aperture TTL metering. Mechanical shutter has a rather uncommon fastest speed 1/700 sec. Fuji Film was the first in the world to develop a silicon exposure metering system for the SLR cameras and as Fuji advertised, an accurate exposure is essential for good photos. The silicon exposure meter is far more accurate and responds to light variations hundreds of times faster than CdS meters. And unlike CdS meters, it reacts far more swiftly to sudden
changes in light and has a far wider metering range, thanks to the silicon's exceptional sensitivity.
Its greater accuracy and speed are particularly apparent in
dim light.
The exposure meter of the FUJICA ST605 consists of 2 Silicon photocell light receptors located on either side of the viewfinder eyepiece, which are connected to an FET circuit and coupled with the shutter and a diaphragm.
It measures the average light intensity which falls on the entire surface of the focusing glass. In other words, it measures the light, that has passed through the lens and will actually reach the film. It's special features are high sensitivity, complete accuracy, instantaneous response and a spectral sensitivity close to that of color film. Other merits are it's compatibility with any lens that can be mounted on the camera, and elimination of the necessity of making exposure corrections in taking close-ups and in shooting with a filter on the lens, because the light that has passed through the selected aperture is the light that is measured
Fuji made a range of good m42 screw thread SLRs from the late 70s early 80s and then moved onto bayonet models with some of the most advanced systems of their time. The latest bayonet mount camera, AX Multi Program was introduced in 1980 and after that Fuji stopped producing SLRs altogether.
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| Specifications |
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| Type |
35mm focal-plane shutter single-lens reflex camera with TTL exposure meter coupled with the shutter and diaphragm. |
| Frame Size |
24 x 36mm. 135 cartridge |
| Normal Lens |
Fujinon 1:2.2, 55mm (4 components, 4 dements) M42 screw mount. (Praktica mount) |
| Shutter |
Cloth focal-plane shutter, B, 1/2—1/700 sec., X Sync, contact, built-in self-timer, hot-shoe |
| Viewfinder |
Pentaprism with Fresnel lens, (1:2.2, 55mm lens),3-way focusing with microprism, split-image and ground glass. Exposure meter needle visible in viewfinder, Field of view 92%. |
| Mirror |
Quick return type |
Exposure
Meter |
TTL meter measures the light that passes through the selected aperture (average light intensity), Fixed point coincidental type aperture and shutter speed coupling, silicon photocell connected with FET (Field Effect Transistor) Measuring range: EV 3-1/3—EV 17-2/3 (ASA 100) (f/1.4 1/2 sec. - f/1 6 1/700 sec with ASA 100 film) ASA: 25—3,200 (in increments of l/3rd step), FP, X, Hotshoe |
| Power Source |
1.5V x 2 silver oxide batteries, Evercady S-76E. UCAR S-76E, Mallory MS-76H |
Film Advance |
Single-stroke lever action, easy loading, self-cocking shutter,double-exposure prevention, automatic-reset frame counter (additive type) |
| Dimensions |
133 X 86 X 88mm (5.24 x 3.39 X 3.47inh) with F2.2 lens. |
| Weight |
730g. (24.7oz) with F2.2 lens mounted (including batteries and lens cap). 570g (19.9oz) (body alone) |
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