I am interested in some of the classic film cameras. The Fujifilm Klasse has been on my list for a few months, but finding one in decent condition at a reasonable price is a challenge.
For example, the Contax1 T2 or T3 is another interesting classic premium point-and-shoot camera. However, an influencer was seen using one and the price increased dramatically (and to stupid levels). They are bought by individuals with no knowledge of cameras (and probably photography) because a favorite content creator uses them. Meh!
OK, end of rant… I was able to snag a Klasse a few weeks ago at a reasonable price. It arrived in good physical condition and I am running a test roll through it as I write. There are a few more frames left on the roll before I send it in for processing and scanning. (I should finish the test roll today, then it will be on to another camera for a test roll.)
This is not a review2. I will likely write a review at a later date after spending time with the camera. What this article is about is the handling of this little camera as I have experienced it to date.
For me, this is a pocket camera. It will easily slip into a cargo pocket or a jacket pocket. It is small, sleek, and has a good complement of controls. It is also fully automatic if that is what you want.
Like most of them I looked at for sale, my instance has a tiny bit of wear on the back in the center, presumably from being worn on a strap and rubbing on the previous owner’s clothing. That is acceptable. It is not a new camera.
The tiny LCD display on the top panel provides a frame counter, flash status, and date readout when the camera is on. Lens f-stop and zone focus are set by dials on the top and front of the camera. The lens retracts into the body when the camera is off and extends when it is on. It is a lovely Fuji 38mm f/2.6 EBC lens. I am looking forward to the results of my first test roll to see if the glass lives up to the Fujifilm reputation for lenses. I expect it will.
The Klasse is one of my grail cameras. It is a premium point-and-shoot from a bygone era. I still shoot film and expect to continue shooting film as long as I can. In many ways, I prefer the look of film photographs to digital. I like the analog look.
It will be fun to run more film through this little camera. Like any fixed lens camera, there are many situations where the 38mm focal length will work well. However, there are others where I will want one of my interchangeable lens bodies (and a few lenses) in my bag. But the Klasse fits into my pocket.
There are four rolls of film on my desk waiting to be sent for processing. There will be another from the Klasse soon and another from the Nikon F2as shortly. Then they will go into the mail to be processed and scanned.
I am grateful. Life is good.
1Yes, Contax is not longer a German camera. It was bought by Kyocera long ago. It is still a good brand.
2I do not do technical reviews. There are a lot of those to be found on the Internet (easily searched) that have a lot of technical details about the cameras and lenses I use. I am more interested in the handling and aesthetic product of my cameras and lenses. Hence, I write reviews about those things.