8mm Forum: Fuji P2 Single 8 Camera; thoughts?

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Posted by Simon McConway (Member # 219) on June 16, 2008, 03:52 AM:

Just got my Fujica Single 8 P2 Zoom camera, via Martin Jones who advertised here on the forum. Any other users out there care to comment on their experiences with this neat camera?

Posted by Joerg Polzfusz (Member # 602) on June 16, 2008, 04:53 AM:

Hi,

the camera is great for vacations, trips, ... as it's very small and weights nearly nothing (even with batteries and film). As it's "stripped to the bone", batteries will last very long. E.g. there's no motor-zoom that'll "waste" energy. And there's nearly nothing that can get broken. [Wink]

BTW: This camera only needs two 1.5V AA batteries = no coin cells.
It works out of your pocket as you only have to switch it on - no need to worry about focus or zoom. [Wink]

So far I've shot 10 carts Fujichrome R25(N) and one cart Cinevia 50D (the old one that was notched as 50ASA) with my P2 and I'm very pleased with the results: Image is very stable. Auto exposure works fine. And to my surprise the focus is always okay: as long as it's sunny everything from 2m to infinity is within focus, when it's a little bit cloudy the focus range starts at approx. 4m. So there's nearly nothing that can go wrong when shooting the old "home movie"-style. (Using this camera for a "real" movie, e.g. for shooting titles, scenes that would require stop-motion, focus-pull, ... is senseless.)
Problems:
* Camera only runs at 18fps.
* Auto-Exposure is not "TTL" and can't be switched to manual. As a result of this "not TTL" you wouldn't notice when you cover the exposure-meter by mistake. But as the camera hasn't got a zoom, there's no need to fiddle around near the exposure-meter, so there's very, very little chance to accidentally cover it. As another result of this "not TTL" you'll need special filters that'll cover both lenses to shoot in daylight with tungsten-balanced films or vice versa. Unfortunately these filters are very hard to find - even on eBay.
* no rewind or any other advanced features
* It's main drawback is the fact that Fuji has stopped the production of the Fujichrome RT200N/R25N. So the Fujichrome RT200N/R25N is only sold while the stock lasts ( Fuji's forecast: RT200N = at least until 2010, R25N = at least until 2012; Fuji will provide processing and post-striping at least one year longer than that, most likely even two.) Of course there are alternatives like the Cinevia- or Retro-X-films. But these alternatives are shorter (12m film in the 15m cart) and sometimes cause problems, e.g. the film might get stuck or become jittery. (On the other hand: Retro8 keeps improving these films and the so number of troubles reported on the various boards is decreasing. So there's hope that the alternatives will be trouble-free when the Fujichrome is gone.)

In other words: When you need a reliable 18fps-only-camera where nothing can go wrong, take it (especially as it can be found on ebay very cheap).

Jörg

BTW: I've also got a "P2 Zoom". But the zoom makes the camera twice as bulky. And as the zoom-range is very limited, I only use the "non-zoom" P2.

Posted by Mark Norton (Member # 165) on June 19, 2008, 04:32 AM:

Hi Simon,

P2 and the P2 Zoom are the cameras I shoot most of my film with. Both work well in low light, fit in you pocket and because they are so easy and fast to use, just point and shoot, I've got more confident in capturing candid shots. Projected picture quality has been superb with single 8 cineva and more of a retro look with the R25 and 200.
The light meter on the side of the P2 is very useful, it's a shame this was not carried over to the P2 Zoom.
Wittner do prepaid envelopes for the cineva they sell, similar to the K40 envelopes of old.
My top end camera is my Nizo Professional, but i'll always carry one of these little fuji cameras loaded with cineva because it can be edited in with the super 8 stocks I run in the Nizo.

Posted by Adam Wilkins (Member # 1172) on June 20, 2008, 06:44 AM:

i don't have this particular model...although i did recently purchase a Fujica Z800. just need to order some Film! im looking forward to using my camera as well.

Posted by Cameron Stephen (Member # 1483) on March 07, 2009, 08:54 PM:

Hi all, I'm new to this forum and to 8mm film. Although I am very used to using film in my still cameras, the moving picture aspect is entirely new to me.
I have been sent two of these Fuji Single8 P2 cameras, although sadly one appears to be broken (the viewfinder is completely out of focus and something sounds like it's rattling inside the top part of the camera). I was wondering if anyone knows where I can get the film cartridges for this camera and where I can get it developed (and transferred). If there are any resources in Australia (I live in Melbourne) I would love to hear about them!
Also - (sorry for all the questions) - but out of curiosity, what is the hardware on the inside of the lens housing (at around about 4 0'clock) is it to do with light metering or something? I thought the light meter was above the lens?

Cheers.

P.S. I managed to track down a manual online for this camera too, if anyone is interested: Fuji Single-8 User Manual in pdf form

Posted by Mark Norton (Member # 165) on March 08, 2009, 08:33 AM:

Hi Cameron, I've ordered Fujichrome R25N and and the Fuji Velvia 50D from Retro8 of Japan including processing with no problems, just a long wait to post to and from the U.K. as you are nearer it should be a quicker service for you. Never had any trouble with the 50D in any single 8 camera, it's the highest resolution 8mm filmstock with rich colour, but only 40ft in a cartridge. With the R25 which is fine grained, natural colour, you can even have it sound striped by Retro8.

I believe that little mirror you have circled is to reflect the image in to the viewfinder.

Posted by David Erskine (Member # 1244) on March 08, 2009, 03:42 PM:

And you might like to consider adding a Hypergonar 'scope lens as well! It takes beautiful 'scope pix.

Posted by Cameron Stephen (Member # 1483) on March 08, 2009, 06:40 PM:

Thanks for the swift reply Mark and David, much appreciated.
I got the camera from some friends in Japan with whom I am collaborating on a toy camera project. They sent me 10 cartridges of Fuji ASA 100 Single-8 cartridges which I am to use and return to them for development and digital transfer. They may have sourced the film from the place you mention. Seems like Japan is the place then, I thought some of the Australian members here may know of somewhere down under, but if not I'll just chat to my friends in Japan!
The film that was sent to me looks kind of generic. It is 12m/40ft which I think roughly translated to about 3 and 1/2 minutes shooting? (I felt really stupid when first using it as the camera was whirring away and the film had completed, I thought I was still shooting until I checked the window. As you can see I am very new)

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