135compact.com 35mm half format cameras Fujica Mini
When
it was first released in 1964, Fuji claimed that it was the smallest
35mm film camera built. It's said that Fuji targeted female users. The
camera was designed by Masaki Nishimura, Head of Konan Camera
Laboratory and Yoshio Tanaka, professor of Tokyo National University of
Fine Arts and Music, the latter had also designed the "Fuji Pet". The camera's main features are:
35mm film half-frame camera, picture size 24 x 18 mm Fujinar K 25mm f/2.8 (3-group 3 element) lens, fixed focus, 1.5m min. distance Fixed Shutter speed, 1/125 sec, exposure control via selenium photo cell, matching needle type Size 88 x 62 x 40 mm, Weight : 290 g ISO 25-200, no flash connection
Front. Big selenium meter around the lens with rotating tab for exposure control.
Back
view. Rewind wheel, finder and film counter.
Seen from above. Exposure indication window. The shorter needle has to be preset according to the film speed by turning the small silver knob under the window,
ISO is symbolized by 4 "jewels". By rotating the tab on he front of the
camera, you have to match the exposure needle with the preset one.
Shutter button (black). Film advance wheel. If you put your forefinger
on the wheel, your thumb into the groove at he bottom, and turn the
camera (less than a quarter turn), the film is avanced.
Seen from below. Film compartment opening wheel, rewind unlock button.
Camera back open
open. ISO setting reminder on the pressure plate.
Pressure plate open.
Camera and its original case..
The
Fujica Mini is well designed, its handling is very easy. With fixed
shutter speed and the absence of flash it's only for outdoor use, but
pictures are sharp. Minimum distance is quite long, 1.5m. It's sturdy
and quite heavy. Today's full format cameras are not bigger and they
weigh less. So this is a beautiful vintage camera of limited use, but
it's fun.
