FrankS
Registered User
Cool, thank you! Sending PM.
oftheherd
Veteran
I have both ST801 and ST901. The 901 was the first one I purchased, and in fact, my 2nd SLR. Both are superb cameras. I prefer the 901 as it has the shutter speeds in the viewfinder as different actual speeds, although it is really step-less. It also has SBC light cells which were said to be superior (the SBC works very well in very low light, another reason I like it). Neither ever gave me bad exposures unless I did something really stupid. The Fujinon lenses are really great. The multiple layered coating was really good.
To answer your question on the diopters, I can't remember if mine came with a clear plain glass (but it must be plane of course
). I think it did. I am at work so I can't check any of my others, but I think my original had one which I lost. It never affected my ability to see well through the viewfinder, but then I don't wear glasses.
I think you will find it a fun camera to use. You can also use other M42 mount lenses. You will read some places that there is a slight danger of the other lenses not having the same distance to the film plane, or getting stuck on the ST801. I personally never had a problem with any but some of the Mamiya lenses. They had a tab that would get stuck in the camera lens mount part where the lens locks in to provide the correct position for through the lens metering. By being careful, I was able to get it out, and never tried any other of Mamiya lenses. I have used Yashica, Pentax, Vivitar TX for Fujica, Pentax and Unversal mounts and a couple of others. No problems except those Mamiya. I think they were for auto-metering, not stop-down and the tab on the lens was the problem.
To answer your question on the diopters, I can't remember if mine came with a clear plain glass (but it must be plane of course
). I think it did. I am at work so I can't check any of my others, but I think my original had one which I lost. It never affected my ability to see well through the viewfinder, but then I don't wear glasses.I think you will find it a fun camera to use. You can also use other M42 mount lenses. You will read some places that there is a slight danger of the other lenses not having the same distance to the film plane, or getting stuck on the ST801. I personally never had a problem with any but some of the Mamiya lenses. They had a tab that would get stuck in the camera lens mount part where the lens locks in to provide the correct position for through the lens metering. By being careful, I was able to get it out, and never tried any other of Mamiya lenses. I have used Yashica, Pentax, Vivitar TX for Fujica, Pentax and Unversal mounts and a couple of others. No problems except those Mamiya. I think they were for auto-metering, not stop-down and the tab on the lens was the problem.
FrankS
Registered User
Hi, oftheherd. I've read about the M42 lenses from other brands issue, or was it Fujinon lenses on other cameras? Good to know that pentax screw mounts will work. I have a fujinon 28 and 50, but the pentax option gives me 35 and 135 as well.
Is a difference between the 801 and 901 an electronic shutter on the latter?
Is a difference between the 801 and 901 an electronic shutter on the latter?
oftheherd
Veteran
That is a difference, yes. The 801 has a mechanical shutter. The 901 has both an electronic step-less shutter, that is, it picks the correct speed, and displays the closest 'normal' speed in the viewfinder. However, if your battery dies, it also has mechanical speeds of 1/60 to 1/1000 and B.
EDIT: I don't mean to put down the 801 as it is a fine camera, but rather to build up the 901. I seldom use either of my 801s because I much prefer the 901; and used it so many years before I ever got an 801, so I am more comfortable with it and its added features.
The Fujinon lenses have a tab on the aperture ring, used to index the meter on the various Fujicas. This tab can conflict when used on other systems, and when adapted to mirrorless. Many adapters work fine with standard M42 lenses but don't allow clearance for this tab. The conflict results in the aperture ring being unable to turn.
FrankS
Registered User
Yes, there is a small pin on the back of the Fujinon lenses.
Oftheherd, so the 901 has a hybrid shutter. Cool!
oftheherd
Veteran
My Fujinon lenses mate properly on my Yashica TL Super, Electro X, and my Pentax HV. The tab you mention fits on the outside of the lens mount flange on the camera body. Evidently from you experience, it doesn't on others. Are you speaking of digital or other film cameras as well?
oftheherd
Veteran
Yes, it is cool. I also looked on one of my spare 901s. It does have a plane glass screw-in insert that in my case at least, also holds the rubber eye cup in place.
@oftheherd, the pin can conflict with adapters when using the lenses on digitals, I have not used any Fujinon M42 lenses on other M42 film bodies. Perhaps the tab doesn't conflict on M42 film cameras.
oftheherd
Veteran
I thought that might be what you were referring to but it just wasn't clear to me. Perhaps it was to others. Thanks for the clarification for someone who doesn't really do digital.