Fujifilm Klasse S first impressions

[thegman]

As requested here by another RFF user, I'm reporting some impressions about my newly acquired Klasse S, imported from Taipei.

This is just a quick note, I hope to write more once I've run a whole film through it and got the results.

It's smaller than I thought it would be, feels heavier than expected and well built, switches click reassuringly and there is very little play in the dials etc.

Have not even taken the manual out of the box, but I seem to have worked out everything important.

It seems to either operate in Program or Aperture Priority, exposures seem to go up to 60 seconds (!) and it has a 2 or 10 second self timer, which I thoroughly approve of as a cable release alternative, although remarkably, it does appear have a standard cable release screw.

The shutter is barely audible, but the motor wind is loud.

The build is mostly metal, and feels like a quality item, my brother said it reminded him of a Hexar AF.

This so far is a very pleasing camera, the viewfinder is tiny compared to my ZI, but nicer than I expected and completely usable. It reports shutter speed and whether it will fire the flash or not in the viewfinder, along with a few other things too that I've not completely worked out.

As a "take everywhere" camera it looks pretty good, I've got a 1600 speed film in it right now and will take it to work and out and about, where I would not risk a pricier camera.

It replaces my Sigma DP-1 in this role, we'll see how well after a little while.

 

[loony33]

hey

hey

Hello there friend.

Tell us more please now that you've had it for a while!

 

[thegman]

Since buying it, it failed for no obvious reason, but got fixed under warranty. It dented my confidence in it's hardiness, but since then, it's been fine.

I've got two other compact, a Lomo LC-A+ and a Contax T. The Klasse remains my favourite, it's the more useable of them all, and I think the lens is better/sharper than the Contax.

The aperture dial is much easier to use than the Contax, film loads easier, and there is a built in flash when you need it. Also, the Klasse has a bulb mode, which I've used occasionally.

The Klasse is very nice indeed, sometimes I wonder about if maybe a Natura would be good too, bit smaller and a zoom lens makes it a more flexible walkabout camera.

The Klasse is a bit pricey, but if the lens is good enough, and I think it is, then image quality is up there with full frame DSLR, if you accept the findings of these guys:

http://www.twinlenslife.com/2011/01/digital-vs-film-canon-5d-mark-ii-vs.html

 

[muf]

I went for the rollei afm35 which is basically a klasse s. can be had for a third of the price of the klasse. its always an option for those that dont want to shell out too much money

paul

 

[ZeissFan]

The also have the Rollei AFM 35 and have it loaded with some APX400 at the moment. I like the handling of the camera and don't find the motor to be too bothersome, although it's definitely noticeable.

I like the ability to manually set focus and aperture, although I find that setting the distance almost requires two hands.

The one option I wish that it had was to set the flash off by default, instead of having to turn it off every time you start up the camera.

The focus and exposure systems seem fairly accurate.

The quality of construction seems to be very good. I definitely like that it's a slim camera, and I like the champagne color. I think black cameras tend to draw attention to themselves these days.

 

[revdocjim]

Actually the Rollei AFM35 is exactly the same as the original Fujifilm Klasse, which has a 38mm f/2.6 lens. I have the Fujifilm version and love it. You can see pictures of it at my "Chemical Cameras" sight linked in my signature. I have found that the metering is extremely accurate and very smart. I have been very impressed with the first couple rolls I've shot with it, which were Fuji Trebi C100. Great stuff. The newer Klasse S and Klasse W have f/2.8 lenses. You can see some of my results with the Klasse here.

 

[matthewm]

Kind of resurrecting an old thread here, I know...

I just bought a Fuji Klasse (Original) from eBay for a pretty good price (way less than the S or W models). It's the black version and should be here in a couple of days. One thing I'm wondering about though...

On the S and W models, you can use custom functions to turn off the flash and the setting will stick when the camera is turned off and then back on again. Can you do this with the original Klasse?

 

[muf]

On the S and W models, you can use custom functions to turn off the flash and the setting will stick when the camera is turned off and then back on again. Can you do this with the original Klasse?

No. It resets every time you switch it off. Its a slight nuisance but considering the saving over the S and W, I don't mind. I've got the Rollei version of yours, the AFM35. Only a couple of presses to switch it off. The only forseeable problem being your ability to remember to switch the flash off.

 

[matthewm]

No. It resets every time you switch it off. Its a slight nuisance but considering the saving over the S and W, I don't mind. I've got the Rollei version of yours, the AFM35. Only a couple of presses to switch it off. The only forseeable problem being your ability to remember to switch the flash off.

Thanks, I figured that.

It's funny how little information there is on the Rollei AFM35 and Fuji Klasse.