Zoom Cardia 900 – SLR Slayer from Fuji

March 27, 2019March 27, 2019Chris and Carol 2 Comments

Released in Japan in February 1990, this powerful (and not so little) point and shoot 35mm film camera was designed to bring all of the best auto features into one small package. It listed for ¥ 43,800 ($300 at that time) and compared to other P&S compacts of that period that wasn’t a bad price.

It’s a good looking camera in my opinion and its got some heft to it with all of the micromotors built-in and that big Fujinon zoom lens (400 grams with the CR-P2 battery installed).

Excellent coverage from this sophisticated Fujinon zoom lens – wide-angle to a perfect portrait and short telephoto focal length.

The Cardia Zoom models are considered to be one of the best of the best in the compact 35mm film camera segment – certainly worthy of being called a Modern Classic!

Some of its impressive specs:

Fujinon Z 38-85mm f/3.8 (2.2x zoom) glass lens with 7 elements in 7 groups
1/8 to 1/250th Shutter
(1) CR-P2 6V Lithium Battery (powers both the camera and date/time function)
Built-in Auto Zoom Flash
Drop-in Film Loading with Pre-Winding
Uses DX Coded Film ISO 100, 200, 400, 1600
Date and Time Encoding
Back Light Compensation (BLC)
Multi Auto Focus with AF Lock
Fill-in Flash Mode
Auto Exposure Mode
Mid-roll Rewinding
Self-timer

LCD Window displays zoom lens focal length, frame counter, modes and a host of other data.

In actual use, the camera performs exceptionally well delivering better than expected consistently accurate exposures in a wide variety of situations. I would use ISO 400 as my daily film to be able to handle less than ideal lighting conditions. Of course, with the accurate fill-in auto flash, it would be hard not to take a great image.

DSCF9597

You’ll get this complete set as pictured – the film is expired (07/2010) but we typically get great results with it. Please buy a fresh roll of film before you take those “once in a lifetime” pictures.

Simple to use date and time databack.

Matching serial numbers. That’s the original purchase date (November 28, 1991)

The zoom flash adjusts with the focal length of the lens.

Yep, it’s an in the box original – just like we enjoy collecting them.

This set includes the original unused custom case from Fuji but like all of these vinyl cases from the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s they tend to get “sticky” and shouldn’t be used.

Two batteries will come with this set – the original unopened (probably dead) lithium battery and a fresh new one. It will be ready to use right out of the box!

If you’re interested in adding this awesome like-new camera to your collection I’ll be putting it in my camera shop shortly at http://www.ccstudio2380.com or you can purchase it here by clicking on the payment (PayPal) button below. I’ll ship it anywhere in the USA for free using USPS Priority Mail with tracking and full insurance.

Fuji Zoom Cardia 900 Compact 35mm Film Camera Set

You’ll get everything as pictured and described in this post BEFORE it hits my shop. I’ll ship it in the USA for free! Please request a shipping quote for international sales. Thanks, Chris

$169.00

Thanks for stopping by! – Chris

Please respect that all content, including photos and text, are the property of this blog and its owner, Yashica Pentamatic Fanatic, Yashica Sailor Boy, Yashica Chris.

In the Shop – Fuji Smart Shot 35mm Camera Kit – Light Blue

March 8, 2019March 8, 2019Chris and Carol Leave a comment

In the shop today I’ve added a rather hard to find light blue version of this popular and fun Fuji camera. The Fuji Smart Shot was released in April 1994 for a selling price in Japan of ¥3,800

You can purchase this still new in its original box camera directly from here on this post by clicking on the PayPal button or over in my shop at http://www.ccstudio2380.com

Fuji Light Blue Smart Shot 35mm Compact Film Camera Kit with Fujinon f/8 35mm Lens, Film, Battery, Strap, Instructions

Super hard to find still new in its box, this Fuji light blue version of this popular and fun to use Fuji is unused and in mint condition. It comes complete with its original box (with packaging materials), an unused nylon strap, the instruction sheet, a roll of expired (07/2010) Fujicolor 100 film, and a new Fujifilm AA battery. The camera has been tested and works perfectly. I’ll ship this in the USA for FREE via USPS First Class Mail and worldwide with some exceptions – please ask for a quote first. Thanks, Chris

$68.75

Fuji’s Modern Classic – Discovery Mini Dual Date 35mm P&S Camera

March 3, 2019March 3, 2019Chris and Carol Leave a comment

If you’ve been a regular follower of this blog you know that my interests extend beyond just collecting Yashica cameras. One of my passions is collecting still “new in the box” 35mm cameras from the Fuji Photo Film Company – both Fuji and Fujifilm branded 35mm compact camera sets.

Today in my camera shop I’m happy to make available this wonderful Fuji set originally sold through Ritz Camera here in the US. (original sales receipt included)

The Fuji Discovery Mini Dual Date 35mm compact point & shoot camera is one of my favorites – it features a simple button that switches between a 28mm wide-angle Fujinon lens to a more normal focal length 45mm lens. Even the viewfinder switches to show the different view with the lens. Like most of the sets I offer, this one is completely new and in mint condition and has been fully tested with fresh batteries (included).

DSCF9434

You’ll get everything pictured here – I’ve kept the original Fujifilm color film that came with the kit (expired) and the original CR123 lithium battery (likely expired) but I’ve added a brand new lithium battery as well as a new Sony button battery for the date/time functions. (which have been set) DSCF9432

The camera is a beauty and with all of its features, it qualifies as a modern classic in my book. The Fujinon f3.5 28mm wide-angle lens is fast and sharp and the f5.5 45mm lens is a perfect normal lens for general photography. I’ve used this model in the past and the 28mm lens and autofocus and autoexposure make it a great street camera capable of some nice candids while roaming the streets (use Neopan 100 for some great mood shots).

DSCF9441

The camera is based on the Fuji Cardia Travel Mini Dual – P that sells in Japan – the US model dropped the panorama mode otherwise they’re the same.

28/45mm Motorized Dual Lens
Drop-in Film Loading
Film Prewinding
Auto Focus
Auto Flash with 3 Modes
Date or Time Printing Capability
Close-ups to 18 inches
Landscape Button

This fun to use set will come with a genuine Fuji custom camera case, a lens cleaning kit, a photography guide booklet by Fuji, a Fuji photo album, a roll of Fujifilm and the batteries. It’s ready to go right out of the box! Guaranteed!

The date and time functions have been set and I’ve installed a new Sony button battery.

DSCF9438

It can be purchased directly here by clicking on the payment button – this set will ship FOR FREE in the USA and I’ll ship it worldwide with a few exceptions. Please ask for a shipping quote first.

More details can be found at http://www.ccstudio2380.com and of course, it can be purchased directly from there too.

Fuji Discovery Mini Dual Date 35mm Compact Camera Outfit

Complete Fuji Discovery 35mm compact camera outfit - made in Japan in late 1990. This kit is a Ritz Camera special and comes with everything pictured. It's ready to shoot with right out of the box! Guaranteed! It's getting super hard to find camera sets like this that are still considered new and unused. It's the best way to experience 35mm film photography and not break the bank. This set mails to the USA FOR FREE - worldwide shipping available... please ask for a quote. Thanks for looking! Chris

$98.00

Fujicaflex Automat – Fuji Photo Film’s 1st TLR – 1954

June 26, 2017March 22, 2019Chris and Carol 6 Comments

Vintage camera wish list item 101.

The Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd., Fujicaflex

フジカフレックス

Designed to incorporate the best features that were available in the medium format twin-lens reflex camera market, the Fujicaflex debuted in 1954 – at a very premium price, we might add. While surfing today, we stumbled upon this wonderful site from Fujifilm Europe. You can check it out here

It’s nice to see a large corporation like Fujifilm blog about some of the really cool cameras that helped make their company great. In another blog, they go on to talk about the amazing Fujipet from 1957.

Twin-Reflex-Cam-433x375

For more about this wonderful camera, take a trip here too to see Mr. Yoshinobu Koyasu’s camera collection… it is not to be missed!

It’s certainly interesting to read (Fujifilm Europe’s blog) – the older posts that pay tribute to the cameras of their roots are so interesting.

My Fujicaflex acquired in 2018 from a collector in Thailand. Finally!

Thanks for stopping by! – Chris

Please stop by my camera shop at http://www.ccstudio2380.com

No Love Fuji? The Discovery 90 Date

April 19, 2017May 20, 2021Chris and Carol 8 Comments

The plastic fantastic wonders of the 1980s and 1990s generally receive no love – especially looking back on them with our digitized eyeballs in 2017. These overlooked (even when new for the most part) cameras were the bridge cameras for many photographers that were moving away from their bulky SLRs from the 1970s and looking for something easy, carefree and light to take with them on short outings and family get togethers. The 35mm format was the clear winner in the format wars, now manufacturers wanted think-free 35s that were as easy to use as falling outta bed (?).

DSCF5081

This Fuji Discovery 90 Date was introduced in May 1993 to an already crowded plastic 35mm marketplace. So how to stand out? Drop-in loading, auto focus, auto exposure auto rewind and auto wind was a good start. A big bright viewfinder centered over the lens – and macro capability (23 1/2 inches / 60cm). Auto flash. How about a good price too? And free film? Free batteries… sure. $10 in coupons too!!! Fuji did everything it could to sell these things, and they did alright too. It helps that you make film.

We like our recently acquired Fuji… it feels balanced in my hand and I like the big centered viewfinder. The lens is a Fujinon f8 34mm lens – we can’t wait to run a roll through it to test it out. By the way, the Fujicolor expired in May 1997.

DSCF5092