Category Studio Fun

Fuji DL-150 35mm Compact Camera – 1986

Chris and Carol 3 Comments

Released in November 1986, the Fuji DL-150 entered into a hyper crowded marketplace filled with everything from cutting edge 35mm SLRs with capable autofocus and autoexposure modes to some of the most basic point and shoot cameras ever made.

We think this Fuji probably existed somewhere in the middle of the pack of simple AF compact cameras. We don’t have a handle on the price point of the DL-150 – the excellent build quality would suggest a steep list price.

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Since Fuji makes film, this set came supplied with a free roll of Fujicolor. It was a great way for Fuji to kick the yellow box and introduce their new customers to the quality of Fuji film.

Focusing on the DL-150 is automatic (infrared, active type) with autofocus memory. The shutter is a programmed electronic type with speeds of 1/30 to 1/500. ISO (DX Coding)is from 100-1600.

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We like the styling of the DL-150… typical 1980s design but in our eyes it still looks fresh. It feels like Fuji used a higher quality plastic and the fit and finish is excellent. This model appears to have been built in Japan.

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Fujinon f3.5 35mm lens – 3 components with 3 elements. Closest focus is 0.85 m

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First time we’ve seen a JCII inspection sticker on one of our simple Fujis.

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Drop dead simple top plate!

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The shutter release button is sweet – a soft touch oval that feels great under your fingertip.

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A real owner’s manual vice folded pamphlet.

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Colorful retail box. The Fuji DL-7 has a similar design.

Billed as the “world’s simplest loading system”! Features autofocus, auto flash firing, motorized film advance and end of roll rewind and DX auto film setting. No way to turn on the flash and the flash fires to “assist” you in dim lighting indoors.

Takes 2 AA batteries and weighs in at only 255 grams (without film, batteries or strap).

We haven’t field tested it yet but it’s on that ever growing list!

Thanks for your visit – if you find a nice clean DL-150 for a good price we recommend giving it a try.

Studio Camera: Fujifilm FinePix S9900W

Chris

Fujifilm Smart Shot Deluxe – 1994

Chris and Carol 4 Comments

The Fujifilm Smart Shot Deluxe is one of the most basic modern cameras we have in our collection. It’s interesting to note that Fuji returned to using Fujifilm in its name with this camera vice using simply Fuji.

It was released in September 1994. It’s super small (compact) and lightweight (175g) but still featured drop-in loading and motor drive. It came packaged with Fujicolor Super G Plus 400 film and the box was designed with a hang tag for sale next to their films. The shutter is fixed at 1/100th of a second and the aperture is fixed at f8. Fixed focus is from 1.3 meters to infinity.

*** Please note: If you know what the U.S. (or MSRP in Japan) selling price was in 1994 that would be great! We have ¥12,000 which seems a tad high. Thanks ^.^

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One of the advertising tag lines for the Fujifilm Smart Shot series was – “a smart shot, a good price, a firm picture, a camera that looks good if you go for fun”! That may not be the best translation in the world but I think you get the idea.

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Fujinon f8 33mm plastic lens.

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Built-in motor drive and motorized film rewind. Sliding lens cover and crazy big flash button.

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Film view window and a cool Fujifilm logo on the back.

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Still made in Japan at this point in time which is surprising as most of the simple Fuji cameras were made elsewhere.

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Back in 1994 when this camera set was released, it came with a fresh roll of Fujicolor 400 film and 2 AA batteries. The film is a touch out of date.

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The owner’s manual is more of a fold out pamphlet and shares info with the Clear Shot Plus. The oversized button on the front left of the lens is the flash button. You press it and hold it until the flash ready comes on then you push the shutter release button on the top right. It’s odd that the flash “on” button is so big – designed to make it look maybe more sophisticated or cute.

I’m sure Fuji sold a bunch as they were nearly a disposable camera with a free roll of film and came with rebates for additional savings on film purchases.

I would say it’s a bit better than average for a mid 1990s camera and free film never hurts sales!

Thanks for your visit!

Studio Camera: Fujifilm FinePix S9900W

Chris

Fuji’s Pet 35 – 1959

Chris and Carol 6 Comments

Fuji Photo Film Company’s Pet 35 was introduced in 1959. As best as we can tell, the Pet was only available in the home market. Few nice examples exist today and even fewer with their original leather case.

Here’s an example of a very popular camera for Fuji during the late 1950s and early 1960s.

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A Pet 35 leather case in all of its 1950s glory!

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The Pet 35 fits snugly into its leather case – the front does not detach so it always flops around (and weakens the crease).

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One of the coolest logos around.

If you run across a nice Fuji Pet 35 don’t pass it by. They are very much a real 35mm camera with excellent qualities – a glass lens with selectable apertures and adjustable focus. We haven’t run a roll of film through it yet but it’s on our list.

Camera: Fujifilm FinePix S9900W

Chris

Yashica “J” Series of 35mm SLRs – 1960s

Chris and Carol 1 Comment

The Yashica ‘J’ series of 35mm SLR film cameras. Top body is the J-7, next is the J-4, then the J-5 and finally the first one in the series the J-3. These were heavyweight cameras in their day…the best (for the most part) that Yashica produced from their factory in Nagano Prefecture (Shimosuwa).

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Produced in 1962 to around 1967 to early 1968. The black body J-3 was Yashica’s first 35mm SLR ‘Pro Black’ camera. They were released in the following order… J-3, J-5, J-4 and J-7. These cameras feature lots of brass and glass. They also represent Yashica’s first SLRs with built-in exposure meters. TTL exposure metering was just around the corner for Yashica after the release of the J-7 in the form of the TL Super.

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The J-5 was super popular in the mid 1960s.

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Another tough one in the series to find complete and in mint condition.

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One of the harder ones in the series to find in mint condition.

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A J-3 all set for just about anything.

Thanks for your visit.

Chris

Nikon D3100 – DSLR

Chris and Carol 2 Comments

We haven’t owned a Nikon since 1971 – and that was a Nikonos II. This pretty Nikon came to our collection as a gift from one of our son’s friends. We tried to pay him something for it but he said he was fine with giving it away since he didn’t like it and was too busy to learn how to use it. It’s now Carol’s camera since she only shoots with her Galaxy S4 most of the times we’re out and about. We told our son’s friend that he can have it back at any time if he changes his mind… so with that we have a D3100 in the family.

Here’s some images of it – the red is amazing and the fit and finish of the camera is extraordinary. We’ll share images as soon as we can. If you would like to know more about the camera you can visit Nikon’s site.

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In the few test shots we’ve taken we’ve been impressed with the quality of the images. I don’t see us becoming Nikon photographers but the camera deserves a chance to see what it can do. We actually do not own a DSLR! We’ve been happy with our Sony Cyber-shot and Fujifilm FinePix S9900W and of course our stable full of film cameras in 35mm, 6x6cm and 6x9cm formats.

If anyone knows how to pull up the shutter clicks (count) we’d like to know.

We do love the red!

Camera: Fujifilm FinePix S9900W

Thanks for looking!

Chris and Carol ^.^

 

Yashica’s ‘Sailor Boy’ – 1962

Chris and Carol 5 Comments

Yashica’s advertising figurine the ‘Sailor Boy’ first appeared in 1962 – closely associated with the launch of Yashica’s J-3 35mm single-lens reflex camera. It was made for Yashica by Modern Plastics of Japan and was produced in a variety of sizes – from a 20cm shop and dealer display model down to this little 10cm guy.

This one ⇓ came to our collection from Germany and man was he a dirty guy!

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Covered with a coat of nicotine and grime, he looked like he was in a bar room fight! But he has a good casting and the paint looks good. Notice how grungy his hat is.

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Since he was covered with a thin film of nicotine he was sticky!

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Looks like he has a black eye!

After some restoration work in the studio, he’s looking ⇓ much better and brighter.

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Nice and shiny! Still a hint of a black smudge near his right eye.

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His hat is white again. If you look to collect one, be sure to look closely at the hat. Often the casting will be a bit porous there and show some pitting. This one is nice and smooth.

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The manufacturer’s marks on the bottom. The round spot was meant to insert a small magnet so as to keep him in his place.

Made in Japan by Modern Plastics for Yashica. He’s never been given an official name from Yashica so we’ve always called him ‘Sailor Boy’ for obvious reasons. Some of the figurines will have ‘Yashica’ in katakana characters on the hat. We don’t have one like that – yet.

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The 20cm shop model with the J-3. The eyelashes are different on the larger models otherwise they’re the same.

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Not our collection! Wish it was! There is one missing – a 10 cm ‘Sailor Boy’ with green shoes otherwise this collection is complete. Notice the large doll on the back left does not have Yashica on his hat but does have green shoes. The one with the camera was released for the launch of the Yashica Electro 35 and as best as I can tell he’s modeled after Wee Willie Winkie from the Scottish nursery rhyme. These are on display at a Tokyo store that specializes in collectible figurines and dolls.

Thanks for your visit! And yes, we take donations of unwanted ‘Sailor Boys’!!! JK

Camera: Fujifilm FinePix S9900W

Chris

Fuji Photo Film – Fuji Pet 35

Chris and Carol 9 Comments

From 1959, Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. follow-up to their widely popular Fujipet 120 film camera. The Pet 35 took advantage of the growing popularity of 35mm photography – plus it’s a great way to sell more film!

The Pet 35 was way more sophisticated than the Fujipet – but retained the funky charm and quirkiness of the original. Since the Pet 35 is not a common camera, we’ve presented a visual tour of our almost mint condition Pet 35.

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Original set as found. We have the leather case too.

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The lens is a Fujinar-K 3 element glass lens – 45mm with a maximum aperture of f/3.5 with closest focussing to 0.5 meters.

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The lever to the right of the lens cocks the shutter and the left lever trips the Copal B leaf shutter.

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The Copal shutter features speeds of B, 1/25, 1/50, 1/100 and 1/200 of a second.

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In keeping with the funky design – two oversized knobs that left no doubt on how to operate them.

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The body is dark gray on this Pet 35.

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Outer ring is the focus adjustment, next is the shutter speed selector and finally the aperture settings.

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The original Pet 35 lens cap.

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Nicely detailed and finished.

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Early 1960s Fuji Film Neopan SS – ASA 100. How about film for only ¥190!

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Original selling price was ¥3,400 – the leather case sold for ¥700 and a soft case was available for ¥350

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Original sales brochure specs.

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The viewfinder is bright and clear – and big for such a small camera.

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ASA reminder scale and film back release.

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The Pet 35 is far from being a ‘toy camera’ as its build quality is quite high. No foam or yarn light seals to fail – the metal film door fit tightly into the body to seal out light.

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Gotta love the Fuji Film stickers inside!

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Thanks so much for your visit – we hope that you enjoyed our tour of this fantastic Fuji!

Studio Camera: Fujifilm FinePix S9900W

Chris & Carol ^.^

Sansui G-9000

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Pure Power! That’s how the sales rep from Sansui pitched it to us at the U.S. Navy Exchange in Yokosuka, Japan in 1978. It is a monster!

Here’s a peek inside –

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Sadly we don’t own it anymore – a casualty of downsizing our home. It could rock in its day and rattle the windows! They sell on eBay now for solid money.

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Direct coupled amp – pure thunder! ^.^

Camera: Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W170

Chris

Canon AE-1 Program – An alternative to the more costly A-1

Chris and Carol 3 Comments

Canon’s A Series of cameras were among the best in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Often overlooked, the Canon AE-1 Program (it was also available in a pro black body) was a fun and accurate SLR during its heyday. Of course the Canon A-1 and the AE-1 were the most popular of all.

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The AE-1 Program, like all of the Canon A Series of bodies, used the Canon FD lenses – here with the popular and super lightweight 50mm f/1.8 lens.

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AE-1 Program in pro black and Olympic Edition.

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If you get a chance to pick one of these up for a fair price we think you’ll be surprised at how well the auto exposure modes do under challenging lighting situations. It’s not built as robustly as the A-1 but can be had for much less.

The AE-1 P makes a nice addition to any Canon collection and certainly would look good in any collection of early Japanese SLRs.

Thanks for stopping by!

Camera: Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W170

Chris