Here is a story. I bought my first Fujica V2 sometime before this video released, and I managed to buy another just last year. They both had issues that I was expecting; dirt/fungus inside the rangefinder, stuck/unstable shutter or timer, focusing was inaccurate. It was relatively simple to fix and much easier than any SLR or Kodak Retina Reflex that I've pulled apart. One interesting thing I noticed is that the first Fujica V2 (serial 207525) I bought has a plain Citizen shutter, the fastest shutter speed being 1/500th. However my second Fujica V2 (serial 227592) has a Citizen MLT shutter, with the fastest shutter speed being 1/1000th. The Citizen MLT shutter also sounds very different, a very characterist whirr; whilst the plain Citizen shutter has a regular snappy sound. Other than the shutter, they LOOK exactly the same. I suppose it makes sense that Fujica would produce revisions of the Fujica V2, with faster shutters and simplified mechanisms, better paint/finish perhaps? Either way, I love shooting both of them and I enjoyed listening to your thoughts.
Your video really encouraged me to purchase this camera! Always been cautious with cameras this old but can't believe everything, including the lightmeter still works perfectly despite being made in 1964. Keep it up with the great contents.
I think you may be a little mistaken with some of your info, but then again, a comprehensive lift of info on the Fuji rangefinders doesn’t totally exist. The V2 wasn’t actually the final version, the Fuji Compact Deluxe was! It had the same lens, and same shutter, mostly. The V2 can usually only be found with the citizen shutter with 1/500 top speed, so the 1/1000 shutter you have seems to be a little more uncommon. Also, the rangefinder framing lines in the V2 actually moved like a Leica, or the Minolta A2 rangefinder, whereas in the later Compact Deluxe version, they did not. Either way, this camera is awesome, and would’ve loved to see some example shots.
I bought one of these a few days ago. I'm trying to get the top plate off but I need to remove the location fitting for the film advance lever first, and I can't figure out how to do so. I'm a bit stumped! Any ideas?
You need to remove the focusing wheel first. Turn to close focus, then remove the set screw, then turn to infinity and remove the second set screw. The top may still stick, the focus wheel can bind a little, you can get it off by sticking the top of the screwdriver inside one of the the focus wheel screw holes and wiggling. To put the camera back together you have to put the focusing wheel back in the top cover with it being held upside down, then install the cover holding it and the camera upside down. Fujicas are a little tricky.
@@japanvintagecamera8869 Thank you. I'm certainly having "fun" with this camera! I figured out how to get into the top, but now I'm trying to sort out a stuck aperture mechanism. After lots of head scratching, I've managed to take the lens completely to pieces, leaving me with just the Citizen shutter assembly. The aperture mechanism is an integral part of it and unless I'm mistaken, cannot be disassembled. Something is catching but I can't get to it. Very frustrating!
@@standandeliver8376 If I remember correctly, the aperture lever inside the shutter is connected to the aperture ring with a small spring, the end of the spring can pop off, or sometimes breaks off. It is hard to reach and reattach, but is doable without fully disassembling the shutter assembly.
@@japanvintagecamera8869 Thanks, but I've already gone further than that and removed the shutter assembly from the lens entirely. The spring did detach, but it was the symptom of a bigger problem rather than the cause. The aperture blades are sticking (due to something catching, not grease). It's just frustrating that having gone this far, I can't remove the aperture cover from the shutter assembly. It seems to be unserviceable.
@@standandeliver8376 If you can’t get the blades out, I would just soak them in solvent as they are and see if they unstick, then blow them dry. It won’t be a perfect repair, but it may make the aperture operable again,
Here is a story. I bought my first Fujica V2 sometime before this video released, and I managed to buy another just last year. They both had issues that I was expecting; dirt/fungus inside the rangefinder, stuck/unstable shutter or timer, focusing was inaccurate. It was relatively simple to fix and much easier than any SLR or Kodak Retina Reflex that I've pulled apart.
One interesting thing I noticed is that the first Fujica V2 (serial 207525) I bought has a plain Citizen shutter, the fastest shutter speed being 1/500th.
However my second Fujica V2 (serial 227592) has a Citizen MLT shutter, with the fastest shutter speed being 1/1000th.
The Citizen MLT shutter also sounds very different, a very characterist whirr; whilst the plain Citizen shutter has a regular snappy sound. Other than the shutter, they LOOK exactly the same. I suppose it makes sense that Fujica would produce revisions of the Fujica V2, with faster shutters and simplified mechanisms, better paint/finish perhaps?
Either way, I love shooting both of them and I enjoyed listening to your thoughts.
Your video really encouraged me to purchase this camera! Always been cautious with cameras this old but can't believe everything, including the lightmeter still works perfectly despite being made in 1964. Keep it up with the great contents.
I think you may be a little mistaken with some of your info, but then again, a comprehensive lift of info on the Fuji rangefinders doesn’t totally exist. The V2 wasn’t actually the final version, the Fuji Compact Deluxe was! It had the same lens, and same shutter, mostly. The V2 can usually only be found with the citizen shutter with 1/500 top speed, so the 1/1000 shutter you have seems to be a little more uncommon. Also, the rangefinder framing lines in the V2 actually moved like a Leica, or the Minolta A2 rangefinder, whereas in the later Compact Deluxe version, they did not. Either way, this camera is awesome, and would’ve loved to see some example shots.
helpful video! thanks for sharing!
its so pretty
I bought one of these a few days ago. I'm trying to get the top plate off but I need to remove the location fitting for the film advance lever first, and I can't figure out how to do so. I'm a bit stumped! Any ideas?
You need to remove the focusing wheel first. Turn to close focus, then remove the set screw, then turn to infinity and remove the second set screw. The top may still stick, the focus wheel can bind a little, you can get it off by sticking the top of the screwdriver inside one of the the focus wheel screw holes and wiggling. To put the camera back together you have to put the focusing wheel back in the top cover with it being held upside down, then install the cover holding it and the camera upside down. Fujicas are a little tricky.
@@japanvintagecamera8869 Thank you. I'm certainly having "fun" with this camera! I figured out how to get into the top, but now I'm trying to sort out a stuck aperture mechanism. After lots of head scratching, I've managed to take the lens completely to pieces, leaving me with just the Citizen shutter assembly. The aperture mechanism is an integral part of it and unless I'm mistaken, cannot be disassembled. Something is catching but I can't get to it. Very frustrating!
@@standandeliver8376 If I remember correctly, the aperture lever inside the shutter is connected to the aperture ring with a small spring, the end of the spring can pop off, or sometimes breaks off. It is hard to reach and reattach, but is doable without fully disassembling the shutter assembly.
@@japanvintagecamera8869 Thanks, but I've already gone further than that and removed the shutter assembly from the lens entirely. The spring did detach, but it was the symptom of a bigger problem rather than the cause. The aperture blades are sticking (due to something catching, not grease). It's just frustrating that having gone this far, I can't remove the aperture cover from the shutter assembly. It seems to be unserviceable.
@@standandeliver8376 If you can’t get the blades out, I would just soak them in solvent as they are and see if they unstick, then blow them dry. It won’t be a perfect repair, but it may make the aperture operable again,
I have one of those 1/1000s versions lying around. If someone is interested I would sell it. Shipping from Germany though which might not be optimal
I may be interested! How much are you asking? And would you be able to email me some pictures?