Fujica ST901
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| image by Hospice of St Francis (Image rights) |
The Fujica ST901 was made in Japan by Fuji, and introduced in 1974. It is an SLR with TTL metered aperture priority auto exposure for film speeds from 32 to 3200ASA, and an electronically controlled step-less shutter capable of speeds from 20s - 1/1000s.
The ST901's specification was very similar to that of the Pentax ES II.
This was the top model in a range initially including the ST701 and ST801, followed by the ST601,ST605/ST605n and ST705/ST705w.
The viewfinder has a ground glass focusing screen with both microprism and split image focusing aids, and numerical LED indicators for selected shutter speed[1]. The ST901 was the first camera to use viewfinder LED digits. Lenses are a modified M42 screw mount with an additional aperture indexing tab and lens locking feature. This camera will not open-aperture meter with non-Fujinon lenses. The DOF switch also permits stop-down autoexposure with other M42 lenses lacking Fuji's special aperture tab.
While the Fujinon lenses released for the ST series can be somewhat scarce, both Tamron Adaptall and Vivitar TX adapters were offered featuring the special ST aperture tab.
The camera can be set manually, but the meter does not provide exposure information in this mode, and only the mechanical shutter speeds from 1/60 to 1/1000 second are available.
This model had lots of nice little touches, such as a viewfinder blind (for self-timed shots), and shutter release lock, a lock to prevent accidental switching between auto and manual modes, and a "film confirmation window" in the rear door. A reminder at the left edge of the viewfinder indicates any exposure compensation selected in auto mode. The five manual shutter-speed settings will operate without battery power.
Unlike many of the Fujica ST series cameras, the ST901 was not revised during its production; there is only one variation, which came in chrome or black (as pictured).
Notes
Links
- ST901 Manual on Mike Butkus' site
- Profile & specifications in the August, 1974, Petersen's Photographic magazine (Vol. 3, No. 4; page 23)
- Fujica ST901 at Sylvain Halgand's www.collection-appareils.fr (in French)
- Fujica ST901 (archived from www.beautycameras.com)
