I bought this stunning Fujica Half 1.9 on ebay for a few pounds – described for spear or repair. Oh boy, I had hoped it would work! Unfortunately it didn’t, but it was easy to fix. Maybe it was easy for me because I have some hobbyist experience with fixing cameras but I’m not a professional specialist. Just a quick google search why the film advance lever is not moving and an hour later I had a working camera. I also changed the door light seals to make sure there will be no light leeks.
This is my first scale focus camera and definitely I feel better with the SLR camera. It as a bit difficult for me to calculate how far the subject is from me. The scale in feet was another barrier.
Fujica Half 1.9 with a very sharp 33mm F1.9 Fujinon lens surprised me. Small pocket size and fully manual which was another plus for me. For sure the metal silver body with black body skin looks cool and well designed.
I took this small, very well built baby for the first test on a long circular walk (14km) with my wife to the Peak District National Park (England). Weather like usual in England, was not very kind but thankfully without rain. It was a bit of a cloudy day without sun but still good enough for a walk and first test shoot.
Because I had a few 12 frame films in the fridge (too short for normal usage) I took 2 rolls for the first walk. Fuji Superia 200 expired in 2008 – which was of unknown previous storage.
Here are the 5 Shots I took on Fuji Superia 200 expired 2008 and rated at iso50.
On the way we spotted a lot of beautiful old English farms and abandoned buildings. Nature was not yet giving a lot of spring vibes with almost all the trees in autumn brown colours.
After around 1 1/2 hours, maybe a little bit more we finally visited the main point of our walk – Three Shires Head. The main landmark is a packhorse bridge which was probably constructed in the late 18th century. The packhorse bridge and the waterfalls as the River Dane flows southwards are very picturesque.
On the muddy path I spotted this collapsed wall with a picturesque view of the hilly terrain.
A moody weather view with rock on an empty field and again hilly terrain in the background.
At the end of the walk a “laundry day” in a rural performance. Very idyllic atmosphere.
Was a great day and a new experience! I can’t wait for more long walks!
The Fujica is my first scale focus camera and unfortunately some of the photos were out of focus – feet scale was not my ally. I am used to it only for meters scale. Definitely this is something that I need to work on a bit.
I have been developing and scanning my films myself for a good few years, trying to reduce the costs of shooting on film. This time I used Cinestill C41 powder chemistry for the first time and I’m really happy with results. Sadly at the moment it is hard to get Tetenal C41 chemistry. I scanned negatives with my mirrorless camera Nikon Z7II + Nikkor Micro 60mm F2.8 D – I love this combo!
If you would like to see more of my works check my Instagram where I try to post more as long as I will have more free time.
I also have my second, main Instagram account where I post more often, mix analog and digital works.
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Comments
Faby on 5 frames with Fujica Half 1.9 – 33mm F1.9 Half Frame Camera
Comment posted: 15/06/2023
It's as if the equipment dictates the framing.
Comment posted: 15/06/2023
Comment posted: 15/06/2023
Comment posted: 15/06/2023
Comment posted: 15/06/2023
John feole on 5 frames with Fujica Half 1.9 – 33mm F1.9 Half Frame Camera
Comment posted: 15/06/2023
Comment posted: 15/06/2023
Mike on 5 frames with Fujica Half 1.9 – 33mm F1.9 Half Frame Camera
Comment posted: 15/06/2023
Simon Cygielski on 5 frames with Fujica Half 1.9 – 33mm F1.9 Half Frame Camera
Comment posted: 15/06/2023
Comment posted: 15/06/2023
Mike on 5 frames with Fujica Half 1.9 – 33mm F1.9 Half Frame Camera
Comment posted: 15/06/2023
Shaun Edwards on 5 frames with Fujica Half 1.9 – 33mm F1.9 Half Frame Camera
Comment posted: 15/06/2023
In regards to scale focussing have a look at this website to create “human rangefinder “. It’s surprisingly accurate, I used an old hotel keycard for mine.
https://tomchuk.com/rf/
Comment posted: 15/06/2023
Comment posted: 15/06/2023
Comment posted: 15/06/2023
David Dutchison on 5 frames with Fujica Half 1.9 – 33mm F1.9 Half Frame Camera
Comment posted: 15/06/2023
One thing I've found with a scale focusing camera, is that having to estimate distance first means that I spend a lot more time looking at the scene through my own eyes, rather than through a viewfinder, and the time spent peering through the viewfinder is usually less than a second. I really like making all the decisions before I raise the camera, and find using it this way to be surprisingly quick and unobtrusive.
Ibraar Hussain on 5 frames with Fujica Half 1.9 – 33mm F1.9 Half Frame Camera
Comment posted: 16/06/2023
I really like this camera and your write up has encouraged me to look for one
Feet scale is easy - especially on this with massive DoF.
Set to 6ft and have your subject just under 2m away set to f11 and shoot away
Bent_Brent on 5 frames with Fujica Half 1.9 – 33mm F1.9 Half Frame Camera
Comment posted: 16/06/2023
Those shots are superb! Nailed the focus.
Steve Scarlett on 5 frames with Fujica Half 1.9 – 33mm F1.9 Half Frame Camera
Comment posted: 16/06/2023
Huss on 5 frames with Fujica Half 1.9 – 33mm F1.9 Half Frame Camera
Comment posted: 17/06/2023
Faby on 5 frames with Fujica Half 1.9 – 33mm F1.9 Half Frame Camera
Comment posted: 18/06/2023
Hello ,
First of all, I wouldn't want my poor English to suggest that I have any aggression towards people who frame in one way more than another.
That said, you explain exactly what I was trying to say.
The half-format was created for reasons of economy and compactness. So...
In fact, the ergonomics of half-format cameras naturally predispose them to creating images in vertical format: that's exactly what you're saying.
Similarly, horizontal-format cameras are just as naturally predisposed to landscape photography. That's what you're suggesting too.
So, framing is strongly influenced by camera type. You suggest this when you talk about the difficulties of using these devices differently...
I'm a bit afraid we have to agree?
I was talking about smartphones, and that's a bit of a caricature, because while all our screens are in landscape format, the videos and photos people make and which are sometimes projected on our TV channels are vertical and very frustrating to watch.
This is due to the way people use their phones.
TV channels then try to correct this effect by adding blurred areas on the edges of screens to fill them
That said, I also frame vertically... when I think it's useful.
Alasdair Mackintosh on 5 frames with Fujica Half 1.9 – 33mm F1.9 Half Frame Camera
Comment posted: 29/06/2023
Of course, the skill of the photographer is probably the deciding factor ;-)