malkav
Lifetime Member
Posts: 132
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Post by malkav on Nov 1, 2007 0:21:02 GMT -5
Howdy all, I won a Fujica ST 605N camera from an auction site(not the bay) for next to nothing total. I wanted to ask y'all if I got a good camera. From the photos I saw it's missing the self-time lever which isn't that big a deal to me as I don't usually use it. I downloaded a manual from www.butkus.org for it so that I'll have some idea as to how to work it. This camera has a M42 screw mount lens right? If so what other makers lenses will work with it? Thanks in advance, Ed
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Post by Just Plain Curt on Nov 1, 2007 5:36:12 GMT -5
Hi Ed, Yes, the ST605 uses the M42 or universal thread mount. Come to think of it, I believe the whole ST series does, not so sure when it changes to STX/ATX ? As far as other makers' lenses there is a huge panorama of lens makers for M42 mount, as well as Tamron, Vivitar T4/Tx mount, and T mount lenses. It would probably be simpler to ask who doesn't make/didn't make lenses to fit M42. The ST605 is a nice camera, at least in my book. Hope it works great for you and I hope to see a few photos from it when you get a chance.
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Post by doubs43 on Nov 1, 2007 15:31:52 GMT -5
The Fujica is a nice camera and you should be pleased with it if all is functioning properly. I don't know if it uses the same re-wind system as the ST-701 but if so, you may think it's so smooth that there can't possibly be film in it.
Walker
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Post by camerastoomany on Nov 2, 2007 12:18:29 GMT -5
The ST605 has been a favourite of mine for years. It has match needle metering but I think the ST605N saw a switch to leds in the viewfinder. If I'm wrong about that you can obviously tell me so.
The ST models were all M42 as was the AZ1, the final screw mount model before the introduction of the AX bayonet mount with the STX1. After the STX1 & 2, came the AX-1, Ax-3, AX-5 and AX multi program
With print film, I find my ST605 meters never put a foot wrong (they never get the exposure wrong either!!!).
I agree with Walker and I believe my 605s and 701s do have the same rewind system as they certainly feel the same.
I hope the 605n is in great condition Ed. You will enjoy using it (Having said that, I guess its a matter of subjectivity. What feels good in my hands, may not suit the next person)
.
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Post by camerastoomany on Nov 3, 2007 7:33:33 GMT -5
I got it wrong.
The ST605n has a match needle but shows the selected shutter speed in the viewfinder. The plain 605 did not.
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malkav
Lifetime Member
Posts: 132
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Post by malkav on Nov 8, 2007 23:20:15 GMT -5
I got the Fujica today, and with the exception of the usual gummy light seals, and generally being dusty it's a good one for it's age. A cool thing(to me at least) is that it uses standard Alkaline button batteries! Now to find lenses for it. I saw a place on the bay that sells Industar, and Mir M42 lenses from the Ukraine, but I'm very leery of it.
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Post by John Parry on Nov 9, 2007 10:48:32 GMT -5
Just search on M42 in eBay. Ignore the machine guns! Pentacons, Meyer Optik, Carl Zeiss Jena, Asahi Takumar - you may even find some Fujinons - they were all great lenses in M42 format...
Regards - John
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malkav
Lifetime Member
Posts: 132
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Post by malkav on Nov 16, 2007 23:54:55 GMT -5
Well, I've had the camera for a week now, and have shooting with it for the past 3 or 4 days, and I've noticed that I have to keep the shutter speed at either 1/500 or 1/700 to have the meter register in the center of the indentation in bright daylight. The lens that came with it is a Fujinon 55mm f/2.2 if that makes a difference. I'm worried that it could be that one or both of the 2 Silicon photocell light receptors, or the FET (Field Effect Transistor) circuit have gone to Valhalla. But then again if this was the case I would think that the meter wouldn't work anyway. The 1/700 max shutter threw me for a loop when I saw it, as I'd never seen a max shutter speed under 1/1000 on an SLR before(I know I need to get out more). TFAH Edward
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Post by John Parry on Nov 17, 2007 6:49:04 GMT -5
Ed
You may find it's just the lens. The 55/2.2 is definitely not on my list of favourite lenses - it was the 'cheap option' when the camera came out. Try any other M42 lens on it, and you should see a big difference - the 605 is a good camera!
Regards - John
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malkav
Lifetime Member
Posts: 132
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Post by malkav on Nov 17, 2007 10:34:11 GMT -5
Would the lens from a Mamiya/Sekor DSX 1000 (Auto Mamiya/Sekor SX 1:1.4 F=55MM Lens) work? I have one, but I've been afraid to try it as it clicks on the M/S, and the Fujinon just screws down tight on the ST605N, no click. I don't want to get it stuck, and possibly wreck the Fujica's lens mount, or any of the internal lens controls.
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Post by olroy2044 on Nov 17, 2007 15:33:05 GMT -5
Hi Ed: Just rec'd my ST605 yesterday. Haven't done any shooting with it yet (darn work keeps interfering! , but some early observations. First off, very comfortable in my hands, build quality very impressive, and much (!) lighter than my Spot F. Bright viewfinder, smooth controls. I agree with John about the 2.2 50mm lens. Not up to the quality of the rest of the camera. Had the same problem with the meter as you. With the Fujinon mounted, the meter was extremely erratic, returning readings all over the map. Mounted a 55 mm F1.8 Super Tak, and the meter settled right down, reading with-in 1/2 stop of both my known accurate SRT 202, and my professionally calibrated handheld. There still is a little "erraticness" (is that a word? if not it should be ) in the meter. It acts like the contacts in the meter switch are a little dirty. It seems to be getting better as I excercise it. Put the Fujinon back on, and it was right back to where it was. Don't quite understand what might be causing that, but won't be using that lens anytime soon anyway, other than just a few frames to try it out. Looking forward to actually shooting with the little beast. Roy
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Post by herron on Nov 17, 2007 20:55:47 GMT -5
Would the lens from a Mamiya/Sekor DSX 1000 (Auto Mamiya/Sekor SX 1:1.4 F=55MM Lens) work? I have one, but I've been afraid to try it as it clicks on the M/S, and the Fujinon just screws down tight on the ST605N, no click. I don't want to get it stuck, and possibly wreck the Fujica's lens mount, or any of the internal lens controls. Don't see why not. I've got a the Fujica St605n too...and have a 50mm Mamiya/Sekor SX mounted on it...works just fine!
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malkav
Lifetime Member
Posts: 132
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Post by malkav on Dec 1, 2007 0:07:45 GMT -5
Well, I picked up a Meyer-Optik Gorlitz Oreston 1.8/50 lens today at the local camera shop that is regrettably is going out of business on the 21th of Dec. It doesn't line-up exactly on the Fujica but is useable. I got it for $29.93 total. It was marked $39.95, but they have all their older lenses, and other accessories marked at 30% off.
I'll be able to see the difference between the two lenses on the roll of film I have in the camera right now. Not that I am expecting that big a difference.
Settings are definitely different between the two lenses. Not always set at 1/700 or 1/500 shutter speeds all the time like with the Fujinon 2.2/55 lens. I also mounted the lens off of my Mamiya/Sekor, and it was fine, just as Herron said it would be.
Thanks John, for the tip on the other lenses.
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Post by Randy on Dec 1, 2007 17:28:08 GMT -5
What's the difference between a 605 and a 605n?
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Post by John Farrell on Dec 1, 2007 17:52:42 GMT -5
Randy - the 605N has the shutter scale visible in the finder.
John
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