Pocket Fujica 350 Zoom

[JoeV]

I was at a thrift shop today, came across a 110-format camera, the Fujica 350 Zoom, complete with hot-shoe mounted flash unit (the Fujicolor Strobe.) I checked out the lens zoom and focus, seems to be okay, needs a bit of cleaning. I ratcheted the film advance wheel, verified that the shutter fires, and the 3-position switch on top adjusts the aperture to 3 various f-stops; the film advance gear also turns; so, I'm hoping that, barring a light leak, this should be a functional camera. I picked up several rolls of 400-speed Kodak 110 Ultra film from Walley World.

Question about exposure; I don't know the camera's shutter speed or f-stops provided, so can't use a light meter. The 3-position aperture switch is labeled with sunny, partly cloudy and cloudy symbols, so that seems obvious; I just don't know if those setting were optimized for 100 or 400 speed film.

Also, the flash has an attached chart indicating aperture settings for each film speed and distance combination; but again the camera's f-stop switch isn't labeled with actual aperture values. Does anyone have any more information on this camera?

I'm figuring on running a roll of film through it anyway, but wanted to be more certain about the exposures.

The build quality seems first rate, and it has a remote shutter cable thread as well as tripod mount.

~Joe

 

[JoeV]

Here's an image of the camera from the subclub website:

And here's a link to a more complete description of the various models in this line of 110 cameras. It appears my camera, being the 350 Zoom, has an aperture that goes up to f/16.

~Joe

 

[bmattock]

110 film had a tab that informed the camera if it was ASA 80 or ASA 400 film. Early version of DX encoding. The camera should adjust for the film you put in it.

 

[JoeV]

Right you are, Bill. I noticed this today that the sunny/cloudy indicator next to the 3-position switch moves over one position to the right when you insert a 400-speed coded cartridge.

I finished the first roll, sent it off for processing via Wally World, should take several weeks.

Now I'm wondering if it's possible to reload 110 cassettes with B/W film for home processing. Hmm...

~Joe

 

[kuzano]

Frugal Photographer has film

Frugal Photographer has film

http://www.frugalphotographer.com/cat110.htm

This page has a fairly clear explanation of the "tab" method of setting camera exposure....

I've had Ritz process 110 and it takes about 2-3 weeks. I've use some pretty outdated but refrigerated film, with good results in an Auto110 Pentax SLR.

 

[JoeV]

First Images

First Images

Here are a few images from this camera. Film purchased and processed through Walmart (film got shipped to Denver for processing, took about 2 weeks.)

~Joe

 

[JoeV]

...and one more

...and one more

Santa Hippie

 

[oftheherd]

Looks like you have a good camera there, even if it is a 110. I remember either Modern Photography or Popular Photography doing an article on a PJ who was using a 110. I think it was the Pentax with interchangable lenses.

Of course, since you have a Fuji, it should be better. 😀

 

[amhildreth]

An excellent camera choice. I have the slight downgrade from yours; the Fujica 350F. Just be sure to trim off the lower right of the cartridge tabs on the 400's so the camera reads it correctly.

 

[kuzano]

110 film frame... same size as 4/3 sensor....

110 film frame... same size as 4/3 sensor....

I have a few 110 and also half frame cameras. The 110 is the closest film frame to the Oly/Panasonic 4/3rd digital sensor. For that reason, some have adapted the Pentax Auto110 lenses to the 4/3rds mount. The lenses are perfect for that format and are among the smallest lenses that can mount on 4/3.

 

[Mark21]

Mark

Mark

Looks like you have a good camera there, even if it is a 110. I remember either Modern Photography or Popular Photography doing an article on a PJ who was using a 110. I think it was the Pentax with interchangable lenses.