Fujica Drive / Fujica Half 2.8 - Impressions?

[Dave S.]

Hello,

I just picked up a Fujica Drive and was wondering if any other RFF members have experience with this camera?

I've read on the web that the Fujica Drive is essentially the same camera as the Fujica Half (2.8) with the addition of a spring motor drive. Sounds fun!

If you've used this camera please share your impressions and post any example photos you might have. What's the lens quality like? How's the build quality of the camera? Any other thoughts?

As soon as I shoot a roll myself I'll post some of my own photos & comments.

Thanks,

Dave

[JoeV]

There was this thread earlier about the Fujica Half 1.9, perhaps some gleanings there.

I have a Pocket Fujica 350, 110-format camera, which has a high quality little zoom lens. Too bad 110 film processing is no longer available from Walmart; I'll have to mail off my film now.

~Joe

[Dave S.]

Thanks for the info JoeV.

I like the Fujica's too. I have a Fujica Compact Deluxe that has produced some wonderful shots for me! The lens is very sharp and contrasty. I'm hoping the Fujica Drive has similar qualities.

-Dave

[Dave S.]

After running my first roll through the Fujica Drive I'd like to share my initial impressions plus a few shots...including one of the camera.

I believe the Selenium meter on my copy is accurate and all other functions appear to work perfectly. It's really nice not having to worry about batteries! The camera came with the original box, instruction manual, and case - all of which pretty much look brand new.

These shots came from a roll of Kodak BW400CN rated at ISO 200. Unfortunately, the Fujica Drive only rates up to ISO 200. This may be the camera's Achilles' heel, but the Kodak BW400CN seemed to perform just fine when rated 1 stop under the box. Nevertheless, I would have rated this film something more like 320 if I could have. Overall I must say that I'm pleased with the results I got and in general I REALLY like this camera.

The build quality is excellent. It feels solid and finely crafted like a classic camera should IMO. I was surprised to discover it even has a metal film roller to the left side of the pressure plate in the door. Nice touch. The clock like winder has a great feel and sound to it when you wind it. I managed to get about 15-20 shots between winds. The camera also handles very well. The wrist strap in particular is very well placed and proportioned. It allows me to hold the camera with one hand (right hand) very steadily while shooting. The travel on the shutter button is also fairly crisp and short.

I shot most of the roll in the automatic mode. The combination of automatic mode, great handling, and motor drive make for a really fun shooter. Thank goodness it shoots half frame because I just wanted to shoot and shoot! Speaking of which, the metal sleeve on the take up spool allowed me to not waste a bit of excess film leader when loading the camera. My roll of 24 produced 55 shots. Nice!

The pictures came out wonderful - sharp and contrasty. I'm going to experiment with getting some of them printed, possibly even blow one up to 8 x 10 to see how it holds up. I've already loaded up a second roll in the Fujica Drive and plan to explore multi-shot compositions and maybe shoot full manual a bit more.

Cheers!

Dave

[polka]

I agree with you, the fujica-drive has a very good lens, which is rather easy to focus because of its short focal, and a suitable (with full automatism) selenium meter ; I have printed sharp 12"x16" enlargements both in analog W&B and digital color after scanning. My motor yields 20 frames, fully rewinded. It's a nice and robust camera.

Paul

[Dave S.]

My Fujica Drive did not come with a lens cap. Just in case anyone else is missing their lens cap I thought I would share that I recently discovered a plastic film canister cap can be easily modified to be a lens cap for this camera.

Using an Xacto knife (razor blade) cut out the small plastic inner ring on the inside of the cap. That's it. It fits perfectly! I've attached a couple of pictures to demonstrate (you can see the plastic inner ring I cut out in four pieces in the bottom right corner of the first picture). I suspect this would work for the Fujica Half as well.


P.S. Polka (Paul) glad to here you like the Fujica Drive as well. Please post some photos you've taken with this camera if you're interested.

[Joao]

Originally Posted by Dave S.

Hello,

I just picked up a Fujica Drive and was wondering if any other RFF members have experience with this camera?

I've read on the web that the Fujica Drive is essentially the same camera as the Fujica Half (2.8) with the addition of a spring motor drive. Sounds fun!

If you've used this camera please share your impressions and post any example photos you might have. What's the lens quality like? How's the build quality of the camera? Any other thoughts?

As soon as I shoot a roll myself I'll post some of my own photos & comments.

Thanks,

Dave

I've just shot my first roll with the Fujica Drive and I am quite happy with the results (apart from the fact that the selenium meter is somehow erratic - but I use an external meter).
Some samples here
http://www.flickr.com/photos/joaofre...7624522541529/
Just one problem with scanning those films : the flatbed scanner (CanoScan 8800F) does not always read correctly where a frame starts or ends, some incomplete frames result. I need to change the position of the film in the negative hoder and try again. After one ot two attempts, I can have all my frames as I want. Anyone with this problem? Is this specific with this scanner ?
Regards
Joao

[oftheherd]

Originally Posted by Joao

I've just shot my first roll with the Fujica Drive and I am quite happy with the results (apart from the fact that the selenium meter is somehow erratic - but I use an external meter).
Some samples here
http://www.flickr.com/photos/joaofre...7624522541529/
Just one problem with scanning those films : the flatbed scanner (CanoScan 8800F) does not always read correctly where a frame starts or ends, some incomplete frames result. I need to change the position of the film in the negative hoder and try again. After one ot two attempts, I can have all my frames as I want. Anyone with this problem? Is this specific with this scanner ?
Regards
Joao

I have had a similar problem with my Epson 4870. More with 120 and 645, but sometimes with 35mm with the frame spacing has been effected such as removing the film and putting it back in the camera.

I hadn't thought of trying to reposition it. I will have to try that. Thanks.

[Abbie]

I love my Fujica Drive. It takes absolutely beautiful photos that are extremely sharp and clear. I really don't have anything bad to say about this camera, it is certainly the best that I have owned. By the way, I am wondering where would be a good place to look for a wedding photographer? How about angies list? I will be getting married in the spring, and need to book someone soon. Thank you.

[vidgamer]

Originally Posted by Abbie

I love my Fujica Drive. It takes absolutely beautiful photos that are extremely sharp and clear. I really don't have anything bad to say about this camera, it is certainly the best that I have owned.

I just recently inherited a Fujica Half. It's in pretty good "user" condition, considering. I also now have 3 rolls of Ektochrome... dated 1981!

It sounds like it's worth trying out! Can't wait 'til I try to get someone to make prints....

[xayraa33]

One was given to me around 20 years ago and it is a pretty robust machine with a decent lens.

[vidgamer]

I played around with the mechanics, and it seems to be working. Shutter sounds good, things move smoothly.... That just amazes me, when I find these old things still in fine working condition. And if they don't require batteries, that's even better!

[m_m]

The Fujica Half is one of my favorite little cameras. It's easy to handle and practically indestructible. I love the sharp photos it takes, you can get a nice depth of field if shoot wide open.

Here's a flickr set of some photos I've taken with it.

[Dave S.]

M_M: I really enjoyed your flickr set! You have a great way of seeing and I really enjoyed both the juxtaposition of your diptychs and many of your single images. You have inspired me to attempt more diptych shots with my Fujica Drive. Thanks, Dave

[m_m]

I think my love for the camera comes out in the photos.

But I also want to say a *huge* thank you for posting the tip about the film canister cover as a lens cap. It's such a great trick, and holds on so tight I can just toss the camera in a satchel without worry. Cheers.

[iantoz]

HI, I have just bought a Fujica Drive and I love it, even though it didn't work.
On getting the camera it made all the right noises but the shutter didn't open. I removed the rear element and washed out the shutter with lighter fluid and the shutter now opens OK.

The only fault left is the light meter, it reacts to changing light but it doesn't show in the view finder. I am at present running a film through it to test if the auto metering is working.

It seems very difficult to get any information, like a service manual for this camera. If any one can help I would be very thankful.


Dai.

[Dave S.]

Glad to hear that you got your Fujica Drive working! Not sure about what might be going on with the meter... Unfortunately, I don't have a service manual and am unaware of where you might find one. I look forward to hearing from you how things progress. I hope your test shots come out well!

[Archlich]

Could anyone tell me if the Fujica Half have click stops during its focus throw like the Pen Wide does? Thank you.

[Dave S.]

Originally Posted by Archlich

Could anyone tell me if the Fujica Half have click stops during its focus throw like the Pen Wide does? Thank you.

Yes, the manual states:

"For portrait shots at about 2 1/2 feet (0.6 meters) turn the focusing ring until the "P" on the focusing ring is in line with the Focusing Ring Arrow. Use the red "G" for group shots at about 10 feet (3 meters)..."

I checked my copy of the Fujica Drive and yes there are indeed click stops at these two markings (in red) on the focus ring ("P" and "G").

Not sure if that corresponds with the Pen Wide?

Hope this helps!

[Archlich]

Thanks for the reply Dave.

It is exactly what I'm looking for - seems to be a feature shared by several half frame cameras of the era - Pen Wide, Electro Half, etc..