Klasse W - a thing of beauty...

hexiplex said:
Just thought I'd share the english manual that Fujifilm HQ sent to me on request, why they don't have it on their website is a mystery to me:

www.morganmalaska.se//dump/KLASSE-WS_E_090917.pdf
Click to expand...


Sorry for the (eventually) slow download speeds.

EDIT: Stephen Gandy has a good comparison shot of the Hexar side by side with other small size cameras on his site dedicated to the Hexar, it gives you an idea of how large the Hexar really is, about the same size as an M6. The Klasse however is quite a bit smaller and fits nicely in the inner pocket of my spring jacket.
 
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Thanks for this, I don't suppose you have it as a PDF? I know the link says .pdf, but it does not appear to be one. Thank you though, I think the Klasse will get a new lease of life now that I know how to disable the flash by default!

It's a superb camera, pricey, obviously, but if someone says to me that it's too expensive compared to a digital compact, I'll ask them where they buy their full-frame digital compacts.
 
Does anyone know the truth around the similarities between the Klasse and the Rollei AFM35? I've read that they are essentially the same camera. I've also read that the Rollei uses a different coating on it's lens and is the better performer. I'd be interested in knowing how true this "same camera" is or whether it's a bit of a myth.

Paul
 
I am not sure which camera is the better performer, I don't even think there is a difference to be honest. But the AFM35 is indeed the same camera as the original Klasse camera. The situation is the same as it is with the Fujifilm TX-1 and the Hasselblad X-PAN, two cameras that are exactly the same (bar cosmetics and finish), but named differently for different markets.

The new Klasse S (the camera that has the same lens as the original Klasse/Rollei AFM35) probably differs quite a bit from the original, perhaps not lens wise, but the controls have changed and no doubt the electronics in general.
 
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Just souped the first roll I ran through my Klasse last night, no amazing results creatively from me... But man this little thing can expose! And the results from the lens are very nice, love the way it renders. It will be a pleasure souping the rest of my four roll backlog.


BOsmall.jpg

Black dog.


KLASSE4.jpg

Odenplan, Stockholm.
 
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Please keep posting your shots, I keep getting pushed closer and closer 🙂

I'm a little torn between the s and the w. I tend to shoot closer to 50mm, but I think the s would open up some new possibilities. In an ideal world I'd get both...
 
I got the S version, I sometimes think wider would have been better for me, but I'd probably think the reverse had I bought the W. They are just gorgeous cameras though, really great to see Fujfilm making them. Fujifilm get a lot of stick for their recent film discontinuations, but who else brought out a new MF camera this year? Who else makes not one, but several quality film compacts? Who else has a range of such outstanding slide film?

It's great to see them still really flying the film flag, even if sometimes they have to get rid of some film lines.
 
Has anyone had frame spacing issues with their Klasse? I just souped the roll from my new years festivities and a few of the shots (three, all in succession) were cut about a third of a frame short. The "clipped" frames were towards the end of the roll, but not at the very end. might this have to do with the fact that I accidentally rewound the roll after 6 exposures (cognac and cigars does funny things to you) and then held my hand infront of the lens whilst tripping the shutter to "advance" the camera back to 6 frames?
 
This just in. I am an idiot. What appeared to be clipped frames resulting from some mysterious camera malfunction were actually frames that I had shot from the hip from halfway behind a wall.... The moral of this story is to wait until your hangover settles before developing a roll of film.


5326864995_b8d06f19ba.jpg

Klasse W / Neopan 1600
 
I just received my rollei afm35 i've spent the last two months hunting down. One tiny ding on the side, next to the flash but other than that it's like new. Can't wait to run a film through it, but rumour has it the weather this weekend where I am is going to be good for ducks! Still, i'm loving the ergonomics and I have high expectations. I love good saturation levels(and i'm not talking about the weather again!) and these camera's are supposed to lavish saturation. Hope so 🙂

Paul
 
I have used both Rollei AFM35 and Ricoh Gr1s/v. The Rollei has a really tiny viewfinder, and just two LED lights for various information. No shutter speed indication. Ricoh has a wonderful viewfinder with all data needed, where it's focusing, shutter speed, auto macro with parallax frame. It is also illuminated in dim light. Flash is always engaged in the Rollei, you need to step with the flash mode button to delete it. Ricoh has a little switch. The worst thing with the Rollei is the AF, it is just too slow. So I used that camera pretty much like an old Leica, the distance scale set to 3 meter and the aperture to f:5,6, or 8, then you know where it's focusing. I still have my Ricoh needless to say. IMO the best compact ever made.
 
micromoogman said:
I have used both Rollei AFM35 and Ricoh Gr1s/v. The Rollei has a really tiny viewfinder, and just two LED lights for various information. No shutter speed indication. Ricoh has a wonderful viewfinder with all data needed, where it's focusing, shutter speed, auto macro with parallax frame. It is also illuminated in dim light. Flash is always engaged in the Rollei, you need to step with the flash mode button to delete it. Ricoh has a little switch. The worst thing with the Rollei is the AF, it is just too slow. So I used that camera pretty much like an old Leica, the distance scale set to 3 meter and the aperture to f:5,6, or 8, then you know where it's focusing. I still have my Ricoh needless to say. IMO the best compact ever made.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the comparison. I own both but I've not put a film through the Rollei yet, but the GR1v I've always loved the results. So much so it was the one I've kept even considering I've owned the TC-1, T2, T3, 35TI and the Minilux. The GR1v for picture quality, Ease of use, portability and durability places it as the number one 35mm compact IMHO. It remains to be seen where in the pecking order the Rollei falls. My films arrived today so I'm just waiting for some dry weather to get out and give it a whirl.

Paul
 
Thanks everyone for the information in this thread.

I just bought a Hexar AF but I'm finding it quite large. I love my Stylus Epic, but its lack of prefocus or any control is a problem sometimes.

The Klasse looks like it would be perfect for an every-day camera.

One question: How well sealed is it to the elements?
I love the waterproofing on the Stylus Epic (mju-II)....
 
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