Klasse W - a thing of beauty...

raid said:
I sold my Natura Black because I could not control the exposure.
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I had considered the Natura, but the lack of control was a deal killer in the end. The Klasse has enough control that it works for me. And it's still small enough that there's almost no reason for me to ever be without it.
 
craygc said:
Here is a selection of mine from thet Klasse W - Klasse W Shots. Ive had this camera since it was released and really enjoy using it. Its a great (film) compact
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I looked at many of the photos in your stream when I was researching this camera, it gave me a very good sense of what is possible when used well. Ultimately, your great photos with it pushed me over the edge. So thanks, because I am really enjoying this little camera.
 
Don't you miss a bit of zoom range on the camera?

I'm looking for a low light p&s, and that brings me down to the Natura Classica or the Klass W,S. A 28-55 zoom seems to be great on the Natura, I would not know how to chose between klass W or S, 28 or 38mm, without missing one or the other..

I know most users here love prime lenses, but for a carry-around camera wouldn't be nice a bit of zoom?
 
Really amazing contrast and colors. I've been jonesin' for a klasse but I just can't justify the cost at the moment...
 
morgan said:
Really amazing contrast and colors.
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Keep in mind these were heavily processed in Lightroom, the camera sure didn't do that all by itself.

Still, a fabulous little camera. I know it seems like a lot of money for what it is, but I feel like I'm getting my money's worth. I don't go anywhere without it.

One word of caution: if you get the kit with the little lens hood, glue it on. It falls off really easily, mine is already gone.

From my walk-about on Saturday:


HP5+/Rodinal 1:25
 
It was great to finally see an English manual. I had worked through the original one with at least a working translation but without the language fluency you do miss the subtleties. Ive learned a few simple things, in the last 24 hrs reading it, such as when I changed a menu setting I would just wait the 5 seconds for it to be accepted - now I now the the Auto Focus Lock also functioned as in "ok" button (even though "ok" is written on it)

Bill58 said:
They don't want English speaking people to buy their limited edition, high end cameras--just like watches, etc.
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Well, the Klasse W was released 4 years ago, almost exactly. There were supposed to be only 8,000 in the production run. So if they're still selling this camera new 4 years later, with many sales going overseas, it hasn't really translated into a "limited" edition of any real consequence :bang:

None of which detracts from this being a great camera...
 
There was even talk of Fuji selling the new Klasse W/S cameras through Cosina's international distribution network, but a lack of worldwide interest stopped that. At least according to the australian distributor of Cosina products.

EDIT: Any tips on tape that leave little or easily cleanable residue? I want to tape over the AF auxiliary light.
 
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Has anybody used both the Hexar AF and one of the Klasses? I'm a little torn. I like the 2.0 on the Hexar, but I don't there something about the images I've seen from the Klasse that I like. What's the max ASA for the klasse? I have no problem shooting high speed film.
 
The Klasse W/S cameras have an ISO range of 25-3200, you can set it manually to override DX-coding or to facilitate uncoded film canisters.

The Klasse W is an awesome piece of kit, it begs to be taken anywhere and it begs to be used. The only negative so far to me is that I can't turn off the AF assist light, and that is easy to solve with a bit of tape*. The Hexar AF is also a great camera, I considered the Hexar AF carefully (along with the Contax T2 and T3) before buying my Klasse W, I came to the conclusion that it's too similar in size to my rangefinder to be a true "take it anywhere and everywhere"-camera.

*tokengirl: Thanks for the gaffers tape tip! Love the photographs, as usual!
 
Other than Ebay (and going all the way to Japan) are there any sellers/distributors on THIS side of the world for this little cam? :)

Cheers,
Dave
 
Don't think so no, except maybe some obscure japanese "lifestyle shop". As I've mentioned there were plans for Cosina to market the camera worldwide (like they have done with the Fujifilm GF670 or Bessa 3 as it is called by Cosina) but there was apparently not enough interest. Sad, really... But there are plenty of reliable sellers on eBay selling this beauty!
 
Morgan -- I have both -- the Hexar AF and the Klasse W -- I probably won't touch the Hexar again. The Klasse is just fantastic to shoot with. I like it as much as my GR1V (it's going to Japan for a nice CLA - I've run a LOT of film through it)...

There's nothing about the Klasse I don't like - that is, once I got my hands on the English version of the manual and finally understood how to set the custom settings.

It's fast - it's light - and fits in a Crumpler XL small case.

I think of it as a modernized GR1V - maybe a little thicker -- but the lens is every bit as good - very sharp - and very distinctive signature.

Lastly, I got mine on the big auction site and paid right at 550USD for it. I got it in 3 days. I had an issue with the camera scratching my negs (four test rolls all scratched) - my new camera is on its way.

I'll be running a lot of film through the Klasse, too.

Do check with Dirk -- I didn't think of it until it was too late. His prices are in line with what I found. He sent me a note to say that his current published price is a bit high, so check with him.
 
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notraces said:
Morgan -- I have both -- the Hexar AF and the Klasse W -- I probably won't touch the Hexar again. The Klasse is just fantastic to shoot with. I like it as much as my GR1V (it's going to Japan for a nice CLA - I've run a LOT of film through it)...

There's nothing about the Klasse I don't like - that is, once I got my hands on the English version of the manual and finally understood how to set the custom settings.

It's fast - it's light - and fits in a Crumpler XL small case.

I think of it as a modernized GR1V - maybe a little thicker -- but the lens is every bit as good - very sharp - and very distinctive signature.

Lastly, I got mine on the big auction site and paid right at 550USD for it. I got it in 3 days. I had an issue with the camera scratching my negs (four test rolls all scratched) - my new camera is on its way.

I'll be running a lot of film through the Klasse, too.

Do check with Dirk -- I didn't think of it until it was too late. His prices are in line with what I found. He sent me a note to say that his current published price is a bit high, so check with him.
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Thanks, guys. So the Klasse is that much smaller than Hexar? I'm not sure I've seen the Hexar next to anythings, so I don't really have a concept of it's size and bulk.
 
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