Fujica AX cameras = junk?

[Vonder]

I've had two AX-3's now, both paperweights. I looked at one in a shop recently and noticed a piece of the viewfinder shutter mechanism was broke off and obstructing the view.

Conversely, my STX-2 seems solid -with the LOUDEST mirror slap I have ever heard in a 35mm SLR.

Anyone else have Fujica experience? Is there a good AX body out there, in general?

 

[jgjbowen]

These cameras did NOT age well. I purchased my 1st AX-3 when they were first released. It was in for repair within a year (don't remember why, but I would bet it was the shutter). After about 10 years of casual use (think less than 200 rolls of film) the film advance jammed and I never got it fixed. When my kids got old enough to learn 35mm photography, I purchased a few used bodies on Ebay because I already had glass for AX cameras. After purchasing 4 bodies, including one that was "new old stock" I gave up. The "new old stock" camera was just that, pristine condition, original manufacurer's packing, unused. I popped a battery in her and it NEVER got the chance to shoot film. It took about 5 "exposures" while checking the shutter speeds for the shutter to stop working :-( . The other bodies had a wide assortment of problems including light leaks, shutters that only worked on one speed, meters that wouldn't work. I was hoping to find a body that only needed new light seals, but give up before ever finding one.

I've since moved on and have acquired a Nikon system based on 3 FM3-A bodies and couldn't be happier. As much as I was disappointed in the AX-3s, there is (or at least was) LOTS of cheap Nikon 35mm glass on the market.

 

[Vonder]

A bit of a pity. I have a couple very nice Fujica AX lenses. Guess I'll use them until the STX-2 dies, if ever... seems very solid.

I can't help but wonder too if these cameras are in disrepair because their owners felt, over time, that they'd purchased a lesser brand and they ended up in damp basements, hot attics, or garages, while a Nikon or Canon user probably felt his camera was alomost an investment, and took better care. All my Canon A-bodies work perfectly and they're just as old.

 

[BobbyR]

Does an adapter exist that lets one use the bayonet lenses on a screw mount body.
I have both.

 

[Hotpot]

Does an adapter exist that lets one use the bayonet lenses on a screw mount body.

No. M42 lenses fit flush in the throat of the AX body, hence AX lenses are too big to fit in the throat of an M42 camera.

As for the problems with AX cameras - their main terminal failing (after some initial problems when new) has been the death of a capacitor that controls the second curtain timing - ie the shutter 'tapers' at higher speeds. But, tapering can also be due to dirty electro-magnets - and that's an easier fix. Sadly most repairers charge too much for such repairs.

I keep AX-5s going because I have a couple of unusual lenses - 19mm and 55/1.2. repairing an AX is cheaper than buying two replacement lenses of equivalent quality. Without those lenses I wouldn't bother. Al