Fuji Klasse vs. Klasse S

[keytarjunkie]

Hi, I couldn't find any significant material online so now I'd like to ask: What are the differences between the original Klasse and the Klasse S? Is there anything not very appealing about the original Klasse? (I like the price!) thanks.

 

[thegman]

I think on the newer one you can set the flash to default off. Also, I think the front dial is for scale focus, not exposure compensation. If you compare photos of each, I think you should see some differences in the front dial.

 

[muf]

If being able to have the flash default to off is important then go for the Klasse S. If not, go for the original Klasse as it's much cheaper. The Rollei AFM35 is the same camera as the original Klasse but with an enhanced lens coating.

Paul

 

[Maiku]

Also, do not forget that that Klasse has a f2.6 lens, whereas the Kalsse S has a f2.8. The Klasse S has four customs settings. These settings include shutting off the flash, snap focus etc. The Klasse S can also take a hood. If you are lucky to find one with a hood then take, they are hard to find.

As for photos I think you would be hard press to say which takes better photos.

 

[glchua]

I had a Klasse before, and still owns a Klasse S (and a Klasse W).

Klasse S can be set to remember the flash mode before the camera is turned off, it can also be set to have the film leader out after rewind. Both are important features to me.

Klasse's front dial is used to set focus distance, whereas for Klasse S, the front is used for setting exposure compensation. Focus distance setting is hidden inside the menu for Klasse S. This difference is important as it suits different people with different shooting style.

Both lenses are supposed to be the same. Difference between f2.6 and f2.8 is academic.

 

[glchua]

One more difference, my Klasse is made in Indonesia, I don't know if that is the case for all batches, whereas Klasse S and W are made in Japan.

 

[keytarjunkie]

no-flash and leaving out the leader are both important, but I don't think they justify a $200+ difference for me. if you don't mind me asking a few more questions...what do you think of the viewfinder on the original klasse? how is the autofocus? what is snap focus?

and, when you set the focus to a certain distance, how long is the shutter delay? if you know what I mean.

 

[muf]

Snap mode is a quick shot mode that basically means everything from 10 feet or more is in focus.

Regarding the manual focus and shutter responsiveness. As I can only vouch for the Rollei AFM35, which as I said is essentially the same camera as the original Klasse. I'd say it is about 1 second as it needs to set the focus when you first press the shutter button, then it is less than 1 second thereafter.

 

[Paolo Bonello]

I have joined the ranks with a Klasse 'S'. Arrived today. Can't wait to try it out. Have been mulling over this decision for a while now. I'm pretty sure I have made the right decision with the 38mm 'S' model as opposed to the Klasse 'W' 28mm but time will tell.
Anyhow, I have a Fuji Super mini (Tiara) in the 28mm fixed lens which I tend to use for sightseeing in colour negatives. The Klasse 'S' was something I considered for a while mainly for B&W because I am a little more comfortable in the 35-50mm focal length at the moment. I also wanted the High iso ability and the exposure compensation. That expo' comp' dial on the front looked like it was in a really intuitive spot. It turned out to be true IMO.

Anyhow, I think I might be burning through quite a few more rolls of film now. A highly capable point and shoot is exactly where I have been drifting towards as the 'Take-everywhere camera' and also as the minuscule companion to my bohemoth sized Nikon dSLR.

 

[thegman]

I sold mine as I've started to go off battery-dependent cameras (just a personal thing, I know I can carry spares). But the Klasse is brilliant, the lens is a match for anything I've used in M mount, I love that exposure compensation dial, aperture dial, bulb mode, all fantastic. I found auto-focus fast and reliable too.

So well made too, from a distance it looks like a simple black compact, up close you see the metal build and it looks the business.

 

[matthewm]

I love my Klasse (original). While I've only used mine for about 6 rolls of film so far, it has easily become one of my all-time favorite cameras. If you can justify the extra $200 for the custom functions, go for it. Usually, I just leave the flash on auto and if I really don't want flash, I just turn it off. In my experience, with this camera, I've found that it will typically default to shooting with the widest aperture possible to keep the shutter speed up and the flash off, only resorting to flash if completely necessary. Some of my favorite images with this camera were with the flash directly on my subject though so it can work to your advantage...

I'd go for the original if you can find one. They're amazing cameras. And, as stated earlier, the Rollei AFM35 is the same camera with a different/better lens coating, but I think the Klasse is much nicer-looking in all black.

 

[v_roma]

Since we're at it, does the lens pre-focus when you specify a manual focus distance with the front dial on the original Klasse or do you still have to wait for the lens to move after you press the shutter?

Also, is there an easy way to override the DX setting and, if so, does the camera remember it after you turn it off?

Thank you

 

[matthewm]

Since we're at it, does the lens pre-focus when you specify a manual focus distance with the front dial on the original Klasse or do you still have to wait for the lens to move after you press the shutter?

Also, is there an easy way to override the DX setting and, if so, does the camera remember it after you turn it off?

Thank you

I don't know about the manual focus question, but I'm fairly certain that you can't override the DX code. Which is unfortunate as I typically like to shoot a little over-exposed (ISO400 at 320, 200 at 160, etc.).

 

[OlliL]

As the Klasse W allows manual override, the S will probably do so, too.

 

[kzphoto]

Can you see the shutter speeds in the VF window on the S and W models? I thought I read that somewhere but I can't verify it.

 

[OlliL]

Yes, you can see them.

 

[v_roma]

Thank you but I was actually wondering about the original Klasse (neither S nor W). Fujifilm needs to work on their camera naming system! 😛

As the Klasse W allows manual override, the S will probably do so, too.

 

[OlliL]

Sorry I was directly answering to Matthew's comment. 😀

 

[kzphoto]

There is no manual override on the original Klasse, at least as far as I can tell. 😀 it does bracket though if you have a tough lighting situation.

 

[lic4]

Answering an old thread question:

If you specify the distance on a Klasse S, then the lens will move into focus and stay there, improving shooting speed considerably.

You can turn prefocus on and off as well - press release halfway, lens will focus, then press rest of the way, it will fire quickly.

I find it faster to preset focus nonetheless, so you're not focusing each time you press the button. I just wish the preset focus would stay at the setting you choose after you turn the camera off and on. The way it works is that once you set a manual focus distance, it will stay at that distance until you turn the camera off or change the setting.

Since we're at it, does the lens pre-focus when you specify a manual focus distance with the front dial on the original Klasse or do you still have to wait for the lens to move after you press the shutter?

Also, is there an easy way to override the DX setting and, if so, does the camera remember it after you turn it off?

Thank you