Occasionally here at the ‘Fanatic’ we allow ourselves to get diverted from our love affair with Yashima-Yashica. We do enjoy blogging about other 35mm cameras that we find appealing. Today we have a nearly perfect example of one of the early 1970’s workhorses for the Fuji Photo Film Company, Limited, located in Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan…. the Fujica ST701.
Billed as “the most compact and light weight (780g with f/1.8 lens) full-size 35mm camera with built-in exposure meter in the world” with a complete line of professional caliber interchangeable lenses. The viewfinder is 50% brighter than previous models while its FET-coupled silicon light meter responds to light tens of times faster and with greater accuracy than the conventional CdS meter. These are quotes from Fuji’s sales brochure from 1971.
Fujica ST701 with standard Fujinon lens set from 1971.
The ST701 does handle very nicely and it does “feel” compact compared to let’s say a Yashica TL Electro-X of the same era. We’ll have to do a weight comparison and take some “together” shots.
A very good looking SLR with a nice modern look and feel. One of the more unique logos we’ve found on a 35mm camera. It (the logo) actually picks up reflections from the lens. We can’t think of another camera with such a cool logo.
Curious note about this: earlier models have this info on the back left side of the body. Case in point, the cameras depicted in the sales brochure (dated January 1971) has this info on the back of the camera body vice the base plate.
Nice clean layout of the controls and with no fixed hot/cold shoe adds a vintage look to the camera.
Sales brochure dated early 1971.
Sales brochure 1971. What are you never supposed to do when loading or unloading your camera? Never in bright sunlight!
Stop back again as we plan to add some additional images and info on this neat Fuji in the near future. As always, please feel free to comment and add additional information that we may not know.
Many thanks… C&C
Chasing Classic Cameras with Chris 
Not sure about ST701 ( I only have copy with convex logo, just like the one you presented here) but all other “ST” series models, with exception of ST801 have concave “Fujica” logo only. Model ST801 has two variations : one with convex and one with concave logo ( I own both).
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Other than wanting to own a nice, real nice Fujicaflex, I’m set with the Fujica series. I lucked out with the nice 701 but no need to expand from there. You certainly sound like you have a awesome collection!
R/ Chris
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I have whole ST lineup plus half frame Fujica “Half” VF, complete lineup of screwmount Fujinons ( “regular” and EBC), as well as Fujica AX-3 and AX-5 for X-mount with complete lineup of X-Fujinon glass.
My whole collection contains 700+ bodies ( fixed and interchangeable glass) and over 2000 lenses plus countless accessories and literature. In heart, though I’m an amateur photographer who shoots 100% digital ( mirrorless Sony NEX and Samsung NX plus DSLR Pentax K-5).
I collect film gear exclusively due to sentiment and as an investment for my grandkids…
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That’s amazing! I would go nuts trying to keep it all straight. Good on you… it sounds like a one-of-a-kind collection.
R/ Chris
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Well, I also have a capability and tools to repair majority of gear I acquire. Otherwise I’d have to be a millionaire to be able to maintain such a substantial collection . Currently 95% of my acquisition is in operational condition.
I must say that what attracted me to “hoarding” vintage photographic equipment was undeniable aesthetical appeal ( = beauty) of it.
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Your ST701 is in much better condition than mine. 🙂 The light meter on mine doesn’t work either. I need to go back and shoot some more with this camera because I love the lens.
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I was very lucky with finding this one. It maybe had 1 or 2 rolls (if that many) run through it. I’m not sure that the meter doesn’t work but it’s that typical problem of finding the correct voltage in today’s world. I can always be the Fujinon lens (M42) on one of my working Yashicas to test the lens. You say that you’ve used yours. You like what you saw? I definitely need to go out and shoot with mine. Thanks for your comment. I appreciate it.
R/ Chris
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