Fujica Cameras

Marcelo Paniagua · Jan 18, 2017

Next weekend I'm going to clean and sort some of my late father cameras and last time I had a quick look there where some Fujica cameras and lens. Any particular model of camera or lens I should be aware of or that are particularly interesting. Never tried a Fujica before so not sure what to expect from those. I think they have screw type mount.

Are Fujica's Fujinon lens similar to Zuiko? Rokkor? anything they could compare to?

I expect that I will put to sell some of the cameras but would like to keep some of the Fujica and Fujinon.

Thanks for any info.

Regards.

John Wiegerink · Jan 18, 2017

Marcelo Paniagua said:
Next weekend I'm going to clean and sort some of my late father cameras and last time I had a quick look there where some Fujica cameras and lens. Any particular model of camera or lens I should be aware of or that are particularly interesting. Never tried a Fujica before so not sure what to expect from those. I think they have screw type mount.

Are Fujica's Fujinon lens similar to Zuiko? Rokkor? anything they could compare to?

I expect that I will put to sell some of the cameras but would like to keep some of the Fujica and Fujinon.

Thanks for any info.

Regards.

Fuji optics are as good and even better than some. I have some Fuji 35mm lenses and their enlarging lenses and couldn't ask for better.

AgX · Jan 18, 2017

Marcelo Paniagua said:
I think they have screw type mount.

The are two ranges of Fujicas, the first had the M42 mount. The second got the propriatory bayonet Fujica X-mount.
Though for the latter also non-Fuji lenses are available.

Paul Howell · Jan 18, 2017

Fuji made a wide range of M42 lens, multi coated, as good as Pentax, I have 3 the 55 1.9, 35 2.8 and 135 2.8, have not used them in years, but I give the Fuji 35 a nob over the Pentax and a tie with the others. Mine are single pin, I think later they made a 2 pin lens for open aperture metering which are not compatible with Pentax Spotmatic F, never used the newer bayonet mount. The cameras are quite well made as well. On my list to get a 701.

Ian Grant · Jan 18, 2017

Some of the earliest Japanese SLR cameras sold in the UK were Fujicas, their lenses have always been excellent. I'd wait and see exatly what you find, check camera-wiki.org for details of specific models.

Ian

obviouslygene · Jan 19, 2017

using the GW690III, every bit as sharp as my hasselblad lenses.

Marcelo Paniagua · Jun 6, 2017

Forgot to post an update:

Found the following:

2x Fujica AX3
1x Fujica AX5
M42 85mm Soft Focus f4
M42 EBC 50mm f1.4
X-Mount
50mm DM f1.9
EBC 50mm DM f1.6
EBC 135mm DM f2.5
EBC 100mm DM f2.8
Motor winder.
2x Adapter
Fujica Flash

Fujinar 135mm DM f2.8

Also an offbrand 28mm lens and 2 X mount adapter, one of those with a thing to automatically set the aperture.

I find the AX3 most comfortable to use. Will take the AX3 for a walk next week.

Regards

Marcelo

Paul Howell · Jun 6, 2017

The 85 soft focus is somewhat rare, the 50 1.4 is very sharp, as sharp or shaper than the Pentax version. Overall you have great kit.

Marcelo Paniagua · Jun 6, 2017

Thanks. Was wondering about the strange grid like think on the 85. I suppose its used to make this softer?

Regards

Marcelo

Paul Howell · Jun 6, 2017

Good question, never owned a soft focus lens, but I think your hunch is right.

AgX · Jun 6, 2017

I am surprised to learn that there is something as a 85mm M42 soft-focus lens. I expected to find such at more modern mounts, if at all.

Marcelo Paniagua · May 10, 2018

Sorry to resurrect an old thread. Finally got time to test the equipment.

AX5 and one of the AX3 have some electronic issues. AX5 will stay always on and seems light meter is not working well. One of the AX3 has light meter issues. The other AX3 works like a charm but required light seals replacement.

So far tested 50 f/1.6 and 28 f/3.5. Really liked the result from those lens. Pretty sharp and looks great on black and white. Testing the EBC 135mm DM f2.5 today. Overall very pleased. Camera is light and ergonomics are great. Perfect for my daily strolls. Shutter noise is kinda noise but no problem for me because don't do stealth street photography.

Will post photos later.

Regards

Marcelo.

Steve Roberts · May 11, 2018

In the TV broadcast world, Fujinon lenses were industry standard for many years. I'd have been both surprised and disappointed if they hadn't equipped their 35mm SLRs with equally good optics. A camera I admired back in the 1970s was the Fujica ST605, which was in the Pentax M and Olympus OM class of small and light 35mm SLRs, though not built as sturdily and with the weird top speed of 1/700th sec (and slowest speed of 1/2 sec). I have two of these, one as it came out of the box, and though I don't use either regularly they are fun to use and give excellent results. I have a feeling (but may be wrong on this) that they used silicon photo cells before that technology was more generally taken up.
Steve

mklw1954 · May 11, 2018

In lens naming, those versions with "on" at the end are better than those with "ar" or "or" at the end, usually based on the number of elements, e.g., Fujinon vs. Fujinar, Yashica Yashinon vs. Yashikor, and enlarger lenses Rodenstock Rodagon vs. Rogonar, Schneider Companion vs. Componar. So the Fujinons are the better version.

Fujica Cameras

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