Fujita 66 SLR
Photo thanks to Bo Hultberg
The Fujita 66 medium format SLR camera series was produced by Fujita Optical
Industries Inc.
The original Fujita 66ST of 1956 set the pace with a focal plane shutter
(speeds from 1/25-1/500, Bulb).
The updated Fujita
66SL of
1958 extended the shutter speed range to 1/5th of a second.
The Fujita 66SQ of 1960 added an instant return mirror feature.
Fujita Optical Industries Inc. was also making a similar camera model for
Kalimar under the Kalimar Reflex name. The Kalimar Reflex was
made during the same time frame (1956-1962) as the Fujita 66 series. But
the Kalimar Reflex featured extended slow shutter speeds to 1 second.
At least two versions of the Kalimar Reflex were marketed overseas. Only
the later version (from 1960 onward) features an instant-return mirror.
It is worth noting that these Fujita 66 and Kalimar Reflex and Six/Sixty
cameras share a common screw-thread lens mount. The Fujita 66ST started
out with a 80mm f/3.5 preset lens. In 1960, an 80mm f/2.8 preset lens was
added for the new model Fujita 66SQ and instant return mirror version of
the Kalimar Reflex.
By the end of 1962, Fujita Optical Industries Inc. stopped production of
the Fujita 66 cameras under its own moniker. But the same factory
continued to make the Kalimar series cameras.
By 1963, a new model
designated the Kalimar Six/Sixty made its appearance. This camera dropped
the extended slow speed settings of the Kalimar Reflex to the Fujita 66SL
speeds of 1/5th to 1/500th second. The 80mm f/2.8 preset lens from the
Fujita 66SQ was used on the new Kalimar Six/Sixty.
The Fujita lens line is rather limited, I'm sorry to say. You can readily
adapt other medium format lenses to these bodies, thanks to the screw
thread mounting.
The 150mm f/3.5 screw-thread mount preset lens seen in the photo above is
very popular as a low cost medium format tele-lens.
The 52mm f/3.5 Fujita/Kalimar screw-thread mount lens reportedly had poor
performance wide open, so you may want to use the lens' sweet spot
around f/8 to f/11. This lens was one of the lowest cost wide angle
medium format lenses available in the early 1960s.
The Fujita 66 series, and related Kalimar cameras, were among the lowest
cost medium format cameras in their day. Unfortunately, low cost cameras
from the early 1960s are hard to find repairs and repair parts after four
decades. If you are looking for a user camera, be sure to test carefully
using our camera and lens testing tips.
For more information about Kalimar medium format cameras, see our Kalimar Reflex and Six/Sixty pages.
The above ad helps highlight that various importers relabeled the Fujita
66 SLR cameras under their own marque or import label. So the Soligor 66
is an importer's version of the Fujita 66 SLR, as are the Kalimar 66/660, Reflex Kalimar, and the Kaligar 66
cameras. Unfortunately, I
can not recommend these early SLRs for user medium format SLRs today, as
most have problems which can not be repaired due to lack of parts. But
since these cameras often bring prices under $100 on Ebay, you can enjoy owning a bit of medium
format SLR history for very little money.
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