Fujica ST801 35mm SLR Camera and Lens Review

This is a review of the 1972 - 1975 Fujica St-801 35 mm film slr camera including the 28mm lens, 35mm lens, 55 mm lens and 105mm lens. I have all the original documentation, brochures, camera bag and accessories from the time it was purchased.
Everyone has an amazing camera in their jean pockets at all times. I think 35mm Film SLRs will make a come back as a collectors item.
*Please note I was confused when i shot this video. Although the import documents included with this camera have a date of 1966 on them it seems this was wrong. This camera is a 1972 model. The customs documents have a miss printed stamp on them of 1966.
Reference: camerapedia.wik...
Ebay: www.ebay.ca/itm...
Music is Local Forcast by Kevin MacLeod and Rubix Cube by Audionautix
Facebook: / canadianproductreviews
Twitter: @canprodreviews

[@jeffl4830]

Not from 1965! Something's screwy with the import documentation. Might have been for the Praktica listed. Maybe the owner just added the Fujica to have the serial # recorded. But definitely not a 60s camera- it's too technologically advanced. Made from 1972 to 1978. The first camera with LED meter indication, second (after the ST701) with silicon cell meter instead of CdS. Well designed, well made. Very bright and large viewfinder. Very smooth film wind. Quiet and low vibration for it's time. Compact and light for its time. How do I know all this? I remember when they came out, and I bought my first ST801 in February 1974, my second in 1977. The proof of the ST801s quality is that it still works flawlessly, meter as accurate as ever.

[@paulbusby2013]

I had one in black with a 50mm f1.4 lens. Can remember the red LED display & that the M42 threaded lenses locked in place.

[@jeli3953]

You of course mean the EBC Fujinon lenses locked in place. Others did not, just as with other M42 cameras.

[@ektin375]

The Fujica ST801 was not made in 1965. It was produced from 1972-1978.

[@dlittlester]

I bought mine brand new in late 1977. I wanted to replace my stolen ST705 but it wasn't made any more. I liked the ST801's LED meter better anyway. Still got it, but the case went like the one in the video and I got rid of it. I've got the original brochures and owners manuals too. I never throw that stuff away.

[@coolduder1001]

Was not expecting to find this

[@dlittlester]

I have one. Bought in in 1977 brand new. I had an ST705 previously, but somebody broke into my car and stole it. When I look back at some of the shots I got with it, and some of the prints I did in the darkroom, I'm pretty amazed.

[@thedatabody]

Well you were right, these are going for over $175 now in the USA.

[@lolkthnxbai]

If it's 175 then either they're ripping people off or selling it with a 1.2 ebc lens. I got mine a month ago for 37 bucks and just use a mamiya lens. Mirrorless users love those ebc lenses and combined with scarcity have driven up the price.

[@paulemmett3731]

As others have said this is not a 60's camera. I bought mine at a K-Mart in Calgary as a 17 year old in the fall of 1974. I have the original 55 mm f1.8 lens it came with and other lenses have come and gone. I still have it and still use it. I would rather trade may Nikon DSLR or my Sony compact mirrorless than trade this one.

[@Agnostic_Asi]

I got a ST801 for my daily basis as a passionated hobby photographer. No kidding. This thing has the brightest viewfinder I've ever seen. Solid work. The M42 mount gives you a huge variety of lenses. Only thing that sucks is the missing aperture metering when you're using any other lenses than the Fujinon-EBC's. Keep up the great work dude! Greets from Germany!

[@FluffyHotTub]

Theres a button at the front that u can press n turn anticlockwise to hv aperture metering

[@jeli3953]

Could you edit the presentation to correct the time it is from? The ST801 was made from 1972 to 1978. The meter technology, i.e. silicon cells and LEDs, was not even available in 1966.

[@davidpostma9862]

I have a great st 801. Works with Fuji non lenses but it’s ligh meter goofs up by 6 stops slower with a super takumar 50mm f 1.4 put on it. Any ideas?

[@jeli3953]

Are you using the stop-down button on the front? That will close the diaphragm to the set aperture. Stopped-down metering is necessary on lenses without the coupling lug allowing open aperture metering. No different than metering through the Takumar on a Spotmatic.

[@kamilhusna94]

Hey man, great video. I have a question, can the SMC Takumar 50mm 1.4 be mounted on ST-801 and ST-705. I heard the pin on the lens(idk what that is) will cause the lens to be locked in place. If it can, will the open aperture metering function will work?

[@jeli3953]

It can be mounted. It will have to be metered stopped down. Press in the stop down/depth of field preview button to meter.

[@ensigncook432]

Would you be willing to answer a question for me? What kind of lenses should I be lloking out for. does it have to be fujica brand? Currently have the 55mm/1.8 My mom was given one for her 18th brithday in 1978 and is giving it to me along with a film scanner for my 25th in 2017. great little camera.

[@ensigncook432]

Timmy Joe thanks for answering so fast! it looks like the st801 will actually take most m42 mounts but the st801 proprietary lenses won't work on other cameras because of the open apperture..... omg the amount of google surfing i did last night lol!!

[@dlittlester]

I only had the kit lens, and zoomed with my feet. Back then, that's pretty much all we did. What a lens it is though.

[@user-ux1ok7kr5i]

do the photos come in color or only b&w?

[@CommanderMouse72]

1972 and still works, would love to see a modern mirrorless or DSLR be working in 50 years

[@promospray]

i got a Fujica ST605 with Yashinon DS 50mm f1.9. The camera is sooo good, i love it so much. Greetings from Ukraine.

[@markhou]

Damn I didn't know you were into film.. That's awesome

[@jonaseufferheld7033]

dude you sound exactly like mr. lebowski. thanks for the video brother :)

[@jeli3953]

Well, that's just like your opinion, man.. :D He sounds like the Dude, not Mr. Lebowski, who is the dude in the wheel chair!

[@KujakuuMai]

What a great deal!!

[@GungKrisna12]

what would later become Fujifilm X-T series

[@Mr.ReanuKeeves]

TIMMMEEHHH!

[@rentedtux1883]

Pronounced Foogeeka.

[@wmiguelpichardo2823]

*LOUD ELEVATOR MUSIC*