Fujica AZ-1, A Very Enjoyable Easy To Use Camera From The 70's

I started to shoot a lot of film recently.  Due to the lock down in the UK in 2020, I had a lot more time than normal.  The AZ-1 was purchased together with another camera and lenses for a low cost.  At first I didn't think I will use it.  However, after it was cleaned up I found it is a very useful walk around camera.  It offers open aperture metering with Fujinon M42 lenses.  They have a small tab that allows the camera to know the aperture setting.  LEDs inside the view finder shows the shutter speed the camera has chosen.  This is quite innovative in the 1970's.  What I do know is this was the last M42 camera Fuji made before switching to AX mount.  It was also the first camera to be sold with a zoom lens, a 43-75mm F3.5/4/5 lens.  The photos below shows the camera with this lens.  Cosmetically my camera is not great but it is fully functional.  I did have to replace all the light seals and mirror bumper.  The old seals and foam were disintegrating.  I also took the time to remove the bottom plate to lubricate all the moving part with light oil.  There was a thick coating of dust on the ground glass and mirror which I cleaned with lens cleaner.

The 35-75mm lens did not receive good reviews when it was released.  I have not shot with it yet.  All the photos on this review were shot with the Fujinon 55mm f2.2 lens.

The controls of the camera is simple, it is an aperture priority camera.  You set the shutter speed dial to AE, and the camera will choose the shutter speed.  The shutter speed is indicated by LEDs in the view finder.  The shutter speed dial can be lifted and the film ISO speed can be set.  Also on the shutter speed dial, exposure compensation of +2, +1, -1 and -2 can be selected.  The camera need batteries to function properly.  However, without batteries, the camera can shoot at 1000/1, 250/1, 60/1 and B.  I guess it is still useable without batteries.  It uses 3xLR44 batteries, not mercury batteries of many cameras from the 70's.  They are also readily available.

What is it like to shoot?  I fitted my Fujinon 55mm f2.2 lens loaded up the camera with Fujicolor C200 film and headed out for photo walk.  The viewfinder was bright and easy to focus.  Open aperture metering makes the camera easy to use.

I did not use the exposure compensation dial at all and just let the camera do it's thing.  Most shots were shot at f4 or f5.6.  The exposures were accurate and overall I really enjoyed shooting with it.

It is a camera you can shoot without thinking too much.  At the beginning, I did not think I will use it that much, now I am thinking this is the camera I will pick up on quick day out.  Other cameras I have requires you to check exposure which all take time.

I highly recommender you pick up the AZ-1 if you want a easy to use photo walk camera.  However, only if you use Fujinon M42 lenses that allows open aperture metering.  Otherwise the advantage it brings can not be made use of with other M42 lenses.