Post by johnbear on Jan 25, 2016 15:37:03 GMT -5
My latest purchase – a Fujica Fujicarex II from 1963 onwards.
It’s a weird camera –
* A fixed lens SLR (f/1.9 50mm), with an automatic diaphragm and instant return mirror, yet the front element is removable and retained by a bayonet system with a locking pin/switch. Alternative front element 35mm and 80mm lenses, plus a close-up attachment available were available.
* Focusing is via a ground glass screen with a three-way-split image rangefinder, which is operated by a thumb wheel on the back of the camera top-plate housing.
* Metering is via a coupled selenium cell, with a center-the-needle, shutter speed priority, auto-exposure system. The viewfinder needle is operated by a second thumbwheel on the back of the camera top-plate housing, which sets the lens opening size, but the diaphragm remains fully open until the moment of exposure. The shutter speed ring is also coupled to the aperture setting, so altering the speed has a corresponding effect on the aperture size, thus maintaining correct exposure and allowing selection of a preferred aperture.
* The final items of weirdness are a leaf-shutter, depth-of-field preview button, side mounted rewind crank, and separate meter scales for 160, and 64/32 ASA films, for which there is no dedicated film speed setting.
The cosmetic condition is excellent, the optics clear, and the film transport absolutely fine. The aperture blades are oil free and stop-down correctly, while the shutter and its many associated parts (film blind, reflex mirror) trip crisply.
Sadly the camera appears to have been dropped or suffered some similar impact. Outwardly the lens is at a slight angle, and there is much internal damage to various linkages. The focus and exposure controls on the back of the camera are ceased. The film speed dial cannot be moved. The meter is unresponsive, the DOF preview lever does not operate, and the M/X sync selector switch is jammed. Shutter speed selection is possible but stiff.
So, back on Ebay it will go, with full disclosure. Some you win, and some you loose!
Fujica Fujicarex II
It’s a weird camera –
* A fixed lens SLR (f/1.9 50mm), with an automatic diaphragm and instant return mirror, yet the front element is removable and retained by a bayonet system with a locking pin/switch. Alternative front element 35mm and 80mm lenses, plus a close-up attachment available were available.
* Focusing is via a ground glass screen with a three-way-split image rangefinder, which is operated by a thumb wheel on the back of the camera top-plate housing.
* Metering is via a coupled selenium cell, with a center-the-needle, shutter speed priority, auto-exposure system. The viewfinder needle is operated by a second thumbwheel on the back of the camera top-plate housing, which sets the lens opening size, but the diaphragm remains fully open until the moment of exposure. The shutter speed ring is also coupled to the aperture setting, so altering the speed has a corresponding effect on the aperture size, thus maintaining correct exposure and allowing selection of a preferred aperture.
* The final items of weirdness are a leaf-shutter, depth-of-field preview button, side mounted rewind crank, and separate meter scales for 160, and 64/32 ASA films, for which there is no dedicated film speed setting.
The cosmetic condition is excellent, the optics clear, and the film transport absolutely fine. The aperture blades are oil free and stop-down correctly, while the shutter and its many associated parts (film blind, reflex mirror) trip crisply.
Sadly the camera appears to have been dropped or suffered some similar impact. Outwardly the lens is at a slight angle, and there is much internal damage to various linkages. The focus and exposure controls on the back of the camera are ceased. The film speed dial cannot be moved. The meter is unresponsive, the DOF preview lever does not operate, and the M/X sync selector switch is jammed. Shutter speed selection is possible but stiff.
So, back on Ebay it will go, with full disclosure. Some you win, and some you loose!
Fujica Fujicarex II
