Fuji STX-2

Fuji STX-2 – A Love Affair with a Much Hated Camera. Simple Refinement

By Keith Drysdale

This story began in 2012. I was told by a fellow worker one lunch time: “There’s a Nikon film camera for £15 in the Pawn Broker’s window!” I decided to go check it out, thinking there was every chance it would be sold by the time I got there. It wasn’t sold and it wasn’t a Nikon. The Fuji STX-2 was a camera I wasn’t previously aware of but all photographers have heard the Fuji name, whether it be for their excellent film stock or their popular digital bridge cameras, so I thought it was worth checking it over. The battery compartment was empty and clean; the lens had a little dust but was clear; the winder and shutter seemed to work as expected. I handed over the £15 and left the shop thinking about how I was going to justify another addition to my ever growing collection of 35mm film cameras.

 Fuji STX-2

Fuji STX-2 Specifications

  • Manual exposure with through the lens metering
  • Mechanical Shutter with speeds 1/2 second to 1/1000 plus B
  • X-Fujinon mount 50mm f1.9 FM lens with f16 minimum aperture
  • Self timer
  • Depth of Field preview button
  • TTL metering with ISO 25 to 3200 range
  • Shutter lock
  • Battery compartment on top plate takes 2 x LR or SR 44 batteries
  • Hot shoe
  • Horizontal travel cloth shutter

In Use. Sharp Shooter.

A trip to the Lake District would give me an opportunity to try out this attractive, compact and fairly light camera, so I loaded it with Agfa Vista 200 which cost £1 a roll at the pound shop (those were the days!). We were camping so I was up early the first morning and the light was wonderful. The first three shots were taken at the campsite, which was located on the shore of Derwent Water.

After breakfast we headed south to Rydal Hall to saunter around the gardens and shoot off the rest of the roll.

Shooting with the Fuji STX-2 was quite a pleasant experience. In the viewfinder we have a mechanical shutter speed indicator on the left, controlled by the shutter speed dial, and on the right is a 3-LED exposure indicator. The camera feels small in the hands but it doesn’t take long to feel comfortable in use. The winder has a pleasant action. I have seen many negative reviews on this camera, pointing out the display isn’t very bright and the shutter is quite audible – both true but it did not spoil the experience I had shooting it. What the detractors don’t mention is the quality of the standard lens, yet the sharpness and colour rendering I find to be up there with any of the big names – I love it!

Conclusion and Would I recommend this Camera?

The Fuji STX-2 has become one of my favourites and gets used as often as any of my other cameras. I am never disappointed with the results. However – There are reasons I never recommend this camera when the “What should I buy as I am new to film?” question arises on the forums and Facebook groups, the most important one is that there are very few additional lenses available for this mount and I have certainly been unable to add to the standard lens that came with it, plus Fuji inexplicably decided to call their digital camera lenses “X-Mount” and they are not compatible with the X-Fujinon mount of the STX-2. You have been warned…..

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About The Author

By Keith Drysdale
I have been a hobby photographer since the early 70s and since retiring at the end of 2021 I started a very amateur YouTube channel (The Olduns Shot) dedicated to film photography using a variety of mainly inexpensive cameras. I have also taught myself to develop film to scan. The whole experience gives me great satisfaction. http://www.youtube.com/@theoldunsshot1005
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Jeff T. on Fuji STX-2 – A Love Affair with a Much Hated Camera. Simple Refinement

Comment posted: 01/11/2024

It’s unfortunate that Fuji abandoned the M42 universal screw mount, as there are thousands of lenses in this mount that fit older Fuji 35mm SLRs and they’re easily available. Fujica’s fixed lens 35mm rangefinder cameras are not to be overlooked as they are the equal of other good quality Japanese rangefinders from the 1960s.
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Keith Drysdale replied:

Comment posted: 01/11/2024

I agree and also think that if they were determined to have a bayonet they should have followed Pentax with K-Mount. I haven't tried the Fuji rangefinders but they are now one to watch out for.

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Jeff T. replied:

Comment posted: 01/11/2024

One to look for is the Fujica Compact Deluxe, which has an excellent f/1.8 lens. If my memory serves (I used one in the early 1970s) this RF camera will operate in manual mode (lens from f/1.8 to f/16 and shutter from 1 sec. to 1/500) without a battery. With the CdS battery and meter circuit (if working) you also get a programmed mode, and the ability to meter in the manual mode. One unusual feature is that RF focusing is accomplished by turning a knurled knob on the back of the camera. Once gotten used to it's a very easy way to focus. // Agreed re using the K-mount if they wanted to go with bayonet. Evidently they wanted to prevent users from buying aftermarket lenses.

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Daniel Emerson on Fuji STX-2 – A Love Affair with a Much Hated Camera. Simple Refinement

Comment posted: 01/11/2024

Hi Kieth,
The difference in authentic appeal between the two similar lake shots is startling. To my judgement, the shot that includes the shore in the foreground is quite ho him, while shot with water foreground stretching to the horizon really appeals. How do other people react to this and why?

Plus, I love the humour in the last shot with your subject with a cheeky look peeking out from within the lilly cluster.

Interesting read in the camera profile that refreshed memories of using cameras from the time.

Regards
Daniel
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Keith Drysdale replied:

Comment posted: 01/11/2024

Thanks Daniel. I agree about the lake shots - the gull was also a gift for the shot.

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Gary Smith replied:

Comment posted: 01/11/2024

"... the shot that includes the shore in the foreground is quite ho hum..." However if you crop the lower portion I think that shot is better than the other (just my 2 pence).

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Bob Janes on Fuji STX-2 – A Love Affair with a Much Hated Camera. Simple Refinement

Comment posted: 01/11/2024

Thank you for a good article on an Interesting camera. It seems to be one of those brought out in the twilight of manual focus seemingly to pick up on the photography course market..
It rather reminds me of the Konica TC-X, which was also a cheaper version of an earlier camera whose biggest failing was a slightly dissapointing viewfinder...
However, these cameras work quite well and while the viewfinders may not be overly inspiring, they do allow reasonable framing and let you use a rather nice set of existing lenses.
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Keith Drysdale replied:

Comment posted: 01/11/2024

Thanks Bob. I honestly believe, if they had gone K-Mount instead of proprietory mount, they could have taken some sales from the similarly specced K1000. There are so many good cameras form the "second tier" Japanese manufacturers like Fuji, Ricoh, Konica and even Chinon (when they were a manufacturer rather than a Dixons label).

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Neil Ó Muirgheasa on Fuji STX-2 – A Love Affair with a Much Hated Camera. Simple Refinement

Comment posted: 01/11/2024

It appears to me to be very close in form and in spec to the Pentax P50 (P5) in the US.

I have one and I put a roll through it every now and again. It just never disappoints.

I'm intrigued by the shutter. My P50 is not simply loud - it kicks like a Colt. It's part of its charm.
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Keith Drysdale replied:

Comment posted: 01/11/2024

Thanks Neil. I've not seen a P50/P5 in the flesh but it would be interesting to compare.

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Neil Ó Muirgheasa on Fuji STX-2 – A Love Affair with a Much Hated Camera. Simple Refinement

Comment posted: 01/11/2024

Also, yes. I love the image quality.
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Keith Drysdale replied:

Comment posted: 01/11/2024

Cheers!

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murray leshner on Fuji STX-2 – A Love Affair with a Much Hated Camera. Simple Refinement

Comment posted: 01/11/2024

Funny the misnaming of Fuji camera dates back to the film SLR era...I see kids these days using Fuji Instax cameras at weddings for guest book photos & calling them 'Polaroids'. I say, "No, no, no, maybe Fuji-roids, but you should call them Fuji Instax...Fuji did a great job and I think they work better than most of the Polaroid filmpack headaches I've used". They look at me, shake the photo several times like a guitar pick (photo tremelo?), put it down and continue their conversation.

Maybe I have to begrudgingly accept 'polaroid' as a generic word.
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Keith Drysdale replied:

Comment posted: 01/11/2024

I've not used any type of instant camera but I've heard the Instax is good.

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Steve H on Fuji STX-2 – A Love Affair with a Much Hated Camera. Simple Refinement

Comment posted: 01/11/2024

See what you just started with all of these comments? I’m already subscribed to your channel. Keep up the good work scooping up the forgotten cameras! Many of them are not “crap” at all. Keep building your subscriber base and you’ll be monetized enough to support more cameras and film!
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Keith Drysdale replied:

Comment posted: 01/11/2024

Thanks Steve. The number of subscribers has grown quite a bit in the last couple of months but I think I am some way off the "dosh". As long as I buy cheap I can still carry on without the monetization. It's fun..... and what else would I do with my time? Cheers.

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Gary Smith on Fuji STX-2 – A Love Affair with a Much Hated Camera. Simple Refinement

Comment posted: 01/11/2024

Boy, @ £1 a roll that Agfa is sure saturated! Those are some great shots Keith!
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Keith Drysdale replied:

Comment posted: 01/11/2024

Thanks Gary. The general consensus is that the last evolution of Agfa Vista was manufactured by Fuji, either C200 or Superior 200. I did spot some variation between rolls of Vista and I had a theory that it depended what was on the line when Agfa put their order in, but I can't say I have any evidence to back this theory. It was certainly a great film for £1 a roll.

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Geoff Chaplin on Fuji STX-2 – A Love Affair with a Much Hated Camera. Simple Refinement

Comment posted: 02/11/2024

The Fujinon lenses are generally superb; a camera just holds film flat, allows you to focus and set the shutter speed. So of course the images are great! As for shutter noise a Pentax LX (high end SLR) also has a mighty slap-bang to scare the pigeons away.
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Keith Drysdale replied:

Comment posted: 02/11/2024

Thanks Geoff. I'm sure that if I made a concerted effort I would find some of the limited range of X-Fujinon lenses to go with this camera, but, to be honest, I like shooting with 50s. The shutter noise doesn't bother me and I only mentioned it because of criticism I had seen from others. It isn't as loud as my Practikas or Zenits.

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