Fujica Compact Deluxe vs. V2?

[iamzip]

I was just wondering what the differences, if any, were between the Fujica Compact Deluxe and the V2. From what little I can find about these cameras, they appear very similar: CDS metering, 45mm lens, f-stop from 1.8 to 22. The only difference I can find is that I know the Compact Deluxe has a meter on top of the body, while I don't think the V2 does (but I'm not sure).

So, does anyone know anything about these somewhat obscure cameras? I'm looking at you, NickTrop. Compare and Contrast.

 

[douwe]

Well,

The V2 has moving parallax correcting framelines, the compact deluxe doesn't. The compact deluxe however has an extra meter (with separate circuitry) on top and has the meter cell above the lens.

cheers,
Douwe

 

[iamzip]

I see, does the meter work only in auto mode like the Compact Deluxe? Also, what do moving framelines do as opposed to stationary ones? Are they simply more accurate?

 

[NickTrop]

I can only speak to Compact Deluxe, not the V2. I had two Compact Deluxe cameras. Both died and I am not in possession of either. IMO this camera has a wonderful lens - better than the GSN in terms of sharpness, and it's contrasty. Might have been the sharpest 35mm lens I've ever used. I like this camera - a lot. A real lot. But I've not had luck finding a sample in good condition and they're rare. One came up a few weeks ago on eBay. I passed as I decided I have too many cameras.

 

[bmattock]

I can only speak to Compact Deluxe, not the V2. I had two Compact Deluxe cameras. Both died and I am not in possession of either. IMO this camera has a wonderful lens - better than the GSN in terms of sharpness, and it's contrasty. Might have been the sharpest 35mm lens I've ever used. I like this camera - a lot. A real lot. But I've not had luck finding a sample in good condition and they're rare. One came up a few weeks ago on eBay. I passed as I decided I have too many cameras.

I have one that works great. Neener!

 

[iamzip]

One came up a few weeks ago on eBay. I passed as I decided I have too many cameras.

There were two on eBay recently - and I got one of them!

Oh, and that last bit there - "too many cameras." What does that mean? I'm not familiar with that phrase.

 

[NickTrop]

I have one that works great. Neener!

Be sure to read the warning sticker on the bottom of the camera.

 

[NickTrop]

There were two on eBay recently - and I got one of them!

Oh, and that last bit there - "too many cameras." What does that mean? I'm not familiar with that phrase.

Let me know what you think of that lens. I think it's "a find" probably because it's so rare - up there with the Oly RD but not as compact. I've reached the saturation point in terms of cameras. I don't take enough pics to support them all, want to use - literally, all of them more often, but wouldn't dream of selling any of them.

Yashica - GSN, CC, Lynx 14
Konica Auto S2
Zorki 4K w/ Leica Summar
Pentax K mount SLR + various lenses
Iskra
Kiev 60 + 3 lenses.

What was that old (and lame-o) TV show?

"Eight is Enough" 😱 (Sometimes my own cleverness even amazes me...)
|

 

[bmattock]

Be sure to read the warning sticker on the bottom of the camera.

Too late - I hit someone on top the head with it before reading the message.

 

[shaxmd]

That was me who nabbed the other Fujica Compact Deluxe. I now have 2 of them, and I've come to think that this is one of the best fixed-lens RFers I've ever used. I've owned Feds, Zorkis, Hi-Matics, Canonets, and I only picked up the 1st Fujica because I saw it for $12 at an antique store. I was going to resell it, but I was blown away by how sharp the lens is. Even wide open at night, this thing manages to be pinpoint sharp. I bought the 2nd to have a backup. I highly recommend this camera.

And the meter on the top works in any mode, not just auto.

 

[bmattock]

That was me who nabbed the other Fujica Compact Deluxe. I now have 2 of them, and I've come to think that this is one of the best fixed-lens RFers I've ever used. I've owned Feds, Zorkis, Hi-Matics, Canonets, and I only picked up the 1st Fujica because I saw it for $12 at an antique store. I was going to resell it, but I was blown away by how sharp the lens is. Even wide open at night, this thing manages to be pinpoint sharp. I bought the 2nd to have a backup. I highly recommend this camera.

And the meter on the top works in any mode, not just auto.

I do like my Compact Deluxe, but it takes some getting used to, with the winder on the bottom and the focus on a wheel on the back.

http://www.asahi-net.or.jp/~RD2H-ARI/FUJICA_LIST2.htm

It was probably the top of the line, the high-water mark, for Fujica fixed-lens 35mm rangefinders.

It does have a nice sharp lens - I like the ML even better, but it is normally a f/2.8 lens and (I believe) a Tessar design.

I would not say it is sharper than the Olympus RD, or the Yashica GSN, but it is a very good lens, I agree.

 

[NickTrop]

That was me who nabbed the other Fujica Compact Deluxe. I now have 2 of them, and I've come to think that this is one of the best fixed-lens RFers I've ever used. I've owned Feds, Zorkis, Hi-Matics, Canonets, and I only picked up the 1st Fujica because I saw it for $12 at an antique store. I was going to resell it, but I was blown away by how sharp the lens is. Even wide open at night, this thing manages to be pinpoint sharp. I bought the 2nd to have a backup. I highly recommend this camera.

And the meter on the top works in any mode, not just auto.

Yes. I agree. This is one of my very favorite RFs. I, too, was "blown away" by the sharpness of this lens, especially at open apertures. I also got my first one - a banger, for $10.00 plus ship on eBay. Love the separate meter on the top.

I am now absolutely THRILLED to have a perfect working sample of this camera thanks to the kindness of another RFF member. This is the best photo blog in the world.

 

[iamzip]

Yes. I agree. This is one of my very favorite RFs. I, too, was "blown away" by the sharpness of this lens, especially at open apertures. I also got my first one - a banger, for $10.00 plus ship on eBay. Love the separate meter on the top.

I am now absolutely THRILLED to have a perfect working sample of this camera thanks to the kindness of another RFF member. This is the best photo blog in the world.

Congrats, Nick! I fell in love with mine even before I put film in it, and even with all its imperfections - the glass isn't perfect, and the filter ring is dented. It just feels so right in the hands, and I even had a spare lens cap lying around that fit perfectly. My previous RF was a Fujica Auto-M, which may be as close as Fuji ever came to making a mediocre camera. I really couldn't understand the fuss about RFs after having gotten that, now the Compact Deluxe has turned me around.

The V2 I was watching on eBay went above my price limit 🙄

 

[racoll]

That was me who nabbed the other Fujica Compact Deluxe. I now have 2 of them, and I've come to think that this is one of the best fixed-lens RFers I've ever used. I've owned Feds, Zorkis, Hi-Matics, Canonets, and I only picked up the 1st Fujica because I saw it for $12 at an antique store. I was going to resell it, but I was blown away by how sharp the lens is. Even wide open at night, this thing manages to be pinpoint sharp. I bought the 2nd to have a backup. I highly recommend this camera.

And the meter on the top works in any mode, not just auto.

As I mentioned in another post, I too am very impressed by the Fujica lens, in my case on a Fujica 35-SE. I also think it's one of the sharpest lenses I've come across.

 

[ChrisPlatt]

The "quirks" of the Fujica Compact Deluxe actually add to fuctionality.
I found using the bottom film advance lever quite natural, and moving
the focus to a thumbwheel on the back allowed for much wider, easier
to read and operate shutter speed and aperture rings on the lens barrel.

Chris

 

[NickTrop]

Here's the infamous Fujica Compact Deluxe "Until Autofocus" ad from the 60's:
http://store.vintagepaperads.com/servlet/-strse-7415/1969-Fujica-Compact-DeLuxe/Detail

If you can read the fine print it says "Now turn the camera around and look at the lens. It's our 6 element f1.8 the best we've ever made." (Isn't it interesting that ad copy for a consumer camera refers to "6 element" lens - as if anyone today would have a clue...) It might only be boastful ad copy, but it might very well be "the best" Fujica ever made at that point. Many who've used this camera are impressed with its images.

And I agree with Chris regarding the camera's "eccentricities". The camera is basically designed to be held in your left hand, and operated entirely with your right hand. Takes a little getting used to but works a charm. Great camera.

 

[scottgee1]

The hyperbole never stops!

The hyperbole never stops!

Here's the infamous Fujica Compact Deluxe "Until Autofocus" ad from the 60's:
http://store.vintagepaperads.com/servlet/-strse-7415/1969-Fujica-Compact-DeLuxe/Detail

If you can read the fine print it says "Now turn the camera around and look at the lens. It's our 6 element f1.8 the best we've ever made." (Isn't it interesting that ad copy for a consumer camera refers to "6 element" lens - as if anyone today would have a clue...) SNIP!

Infamous indeed! They certainly weren't the first to offer focus control via a thumbwheel on the back -- my ~1950 Vitessa 125 has it, plus an f/2.0 lens AND the speedy plunger film advance! Gotta love those folks in marketing . . . 🙄

Interesting too that Fujica was a "division of Ehrenreich Photo Optical". EPO was the U.S. importer of Nikon gear back when they were king of the hill here. I'd forgotten that.

 

[konicamera]

Fujica 35Auto-M

Fujica 35Auto-M

Hi,

Very interesting comments about the Fujica rangefinders. I have a 35-EE, but the focusing mechanism is loose and it often jams when I turn the focusing wheel. When this happens I need to tap the lens barrel inwards to help the mechanism along. Has anyone here taken apart this focusing mechanism and tried to fix it? I understand this is not so rare with these cameras.

That camera has a fantastic feel to it. It is very ergonomic (my hands like it), very well built and finished. And he lens is very sharp and contrasty.

I also took a look at the last link submitted (http://www.asahi-net.or.jp/~RD2H-ARI/FUJICA_LIST2.htm). Has anyone noticed how much wider the rangefinder base is on the Fujica 35Auto-M (second row from the top, last model) compared to the other models?

Cheers,

jj (in Warsaw)

 

[scottgee1]

I also took a look at the last link submitted (http://www.asahi-net.or.jp/~RD2H-ARI/FUJICA_LIST2.htm). Has anyone noticed how much wider the rangefinder base is on the Fujica 35Auto-M (second row from the top, last model) compared to the other models?

Good eye! Wonder what the actual measurement is on that!

 

[scottgee1]

PCStudio, that's an interesting perspective -- from inside the cameras!

I like hearing from the people who repair things before I buy stuff because everything breaks or needs adjustment eventually and those who do that work often provide helpful insights.