Is the original Klasse flash-happy?

[karateisland]

After reading obsessively about every film P&S ever to grace the market, I've started eyeing the original Fuji Klasse. It has most of what I want (manual ISO, a sharp lens, high contrast, etc) and the only problem seems to be that it doesn't remember flash settings.

So, I wonder if someone who has used it can weigh in: Is the camera flash-happy? I don't like to use fill-flash when I'm shooting during the day--will this camera punish me for forgetting to disable the flash?

 

[Huss]

You checked out the Porsche Design Rollei QZ35? I too looked at every high end film P&S and this thing blows the others out of the water. Unlike the Fujis it has full manual and AE control - not hobbled by lighting situations. 1/8000 sec shutter etc etc

https://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=164792

It is big (Leica M size) and the flash attaches separately. But oh boy is it good.

 

[Yokosuka Mike]

I have owned both Fujifilm Klasse cameras (the 28mm “W” and the 38mm “S”) and if you can get a translated version of the owner's manual there is a convoluted way to turn the flash off.

The Klasse is an autofocus camera and the only drawback to it is (in my opinion) the viewfinder. Knowing if the camera has focused on the desired object is a real leap of faith. There is no indication of what is or is not in focus, the viewfinder is more about what’s in the frame.

Other than that, the camera is very well made and the lens is sharp as heck, and it’s a darn good looking camera as well. I had the black bodies Klasse “S” and “W” but the chrome models look great too. When they were first introduced in Japan they were very expensive, by the time they went out of production they could be had new for less than half the original price.

Alas, I sold both my Klasses about a year ago because I found the point & shoot experience less than satisfying. It was the same reason I sold my Contax G2 set. I prefer the full control of manual focusing.

Probably more than you wanted to know but there it is.

All the best,
Mike

 

[jonmanjiro]

After reading obsessively about every film P&S ever to grace the market, I've started eyeing the original Fuji Klasse. It has most of what I want (manual ISO, a sharp lens, high contrast, etc) and the only problem seems to be that it doesn't remember flash settings.

I have owned both Fujifilm Klasse cameras (the 28mm “W” and the 38mm “S”) and if you can get a translated version of the owner's manual there is a convoluted way to turn the flash off.

The original Klasse with 38mm f2.6 lens is the first of three Klasses The W and S came later. The S uses the same lens as the original Klasse, but with a different aperture design which makes the max. aperture f2.8 instead of f2.6.

Annnd... to answer the OP's question, no the original Klasse does not remember flash settings. Turn off the camera and you're back to the default setting. The two biggest improvements Fuji made with the S and W are manual ISO and flash settings that the camera remembers when switched off.

 

[karateisland]

You checked out the Porsche Design Rollei QZ35? I too looked at every high end film P&S and this thing blows the others out of the water.

I haven't looked at it yet--it does look very sweet! The only thing holding me back, whether it's the right choice or not, I'm stuck on the idea of a small camera with a prime lens. I'll probably have to let that go soon, tho, given the insanity of the market.

Probably more than you wanted to know but there it is.

All the best,
Mike

One can never know too much about these cameras! Thanks, Mike.

Annnd... to answer the OP's question, no the original Klasse does not remember flash settings. Turn off the camera and you're back to the default setting. The two biggest improvements Fuji made with the S and W are manual ISO and flash settings that the camera remembers when switched off.

I'm wondering if the camera is flash-happy when the flash is left on. That is to say, if I forget to turn the flash off every time I open it up, how often does the camera resort to flash? Is it conservative, or a bit overenthusiastic?

(That being said, I didn't know about the lack of manual ISO, which might be a deal-breaker, since I'm always pushing my color film.)

 

[jonmanjiro]

I'm wondering if the camera is flash-happy when the flash is left on. That is to say, if I forget to turn the flash off every time I open it up, how often does the camera resort to flash? Is it conservative, or a bit overenthusiastic?

(That being said, I didn't know about the lack of manual ISO, which might be a deal-breaker, since I'm always pushing my color film.)

I don't remember the Klasse original I owned briefly as being flash happy, but I didn't shoot it in dark situations much either. You can manually set the aperture to control the flash happiness somewhat. The camera does have exposure compensation.

The Klasse S and W have exposure compensation and a manual ISO setting, which I preferred. If I was to buy another P&S film cam, I'd get a Klasse S. Killer cam and better than the fabled Contax T3 IMO. A shame the prices on them are so ridiculous now.

 

[karateisland]

I don't remember the Klasse original I owned briefly as being flash happy, but I didn't shoot it in dark situations much either. You can manually set the aperture to control the flash happiness somewhat. The camera does have exposure compensation.

The Klasse S and W have exposure compensation and a manual ISO setting, which I preferred. If I was to buy another P&S film cam, I'd get a Klasse S. Killer cam and better than the fabled Contax T3 IMO. A shame the prices on them are so ridiculous now.

It is a shame. The prices are still relatively low when compared to the T3 (then again, what camera isn't reasonably priced compared to the T3?).

It's enough to make me want to buy a G2 instead and just call it a day. Either way, I got what I needed to know! Thanks.

 

[Huss]

Re. the Rollei QZ35W:

I haven't looked at it yet--it does look very sweet! The only thing holding me back, whether it's the right choice or not, I'm stuck on the idea of a small camera with a prime lens. I'll probably have to let that go soon, tho, given the insanity of the market.

It is NOT small. It is the size of a Leica M.
It has a zoom lens, but at 28mm it is f2.8 - so as fast if not faster than most any of the other prime lens cameras out there.

Here is a good review of the Klasse:

https://www.35mmc.com/04/02/2014/fuji-klasse-w-final-thoughts/
And here is one of a Fuji Natura, which is small w/ a wide prime lens:

https://www.35mmc.com/12/05/2018/fuji-natura-s-review/

 

[Archlich]

The original Klasse used to be dirt cheap not long ago. Now its price had been more than doubled if not tripled.

I suggest you try a Nikon 35Ti...if size is not a priority, a Hexar instead.