Fujifilm's affordable Fujica SLR — the ST605, match-needle metering, mechanical shutter, M42 mount, 1976.
The Fujica ST605 is a 35mm film SLR made by Fuji Photo Film under the Fujica name, introduced in 1976 as a more affordable model in the ST screw-mount range. It was a compact, simplified manual SLR positioned below the more advanced ST801 and ST901. It uses the M42 screw lens mount for compatibility with universal screw-thread lenses.
In specification terms, the ST605 is a single-lens reflex for 35mm film using the M42 42mm screw mount. It has a mechanical horizontal-travel cloth focal-plane shutter, with a top speed of 1/700 in place of the more usual 1/1000 as a cost measure. Metering is through-the-lens, stop-down, shown as a match-needle in the viewfinder for manual exposure setting. The shutter is mechanical and fires without a battery, while the battery powers only the meter.
The ST605 suits beginners, students and general users who want an inexpensive mechanical M42 SLR and access to the large pool of affordable screw-mount lenses. Its mechanical shutter keeps working with a dead meter battery, and the simple match-needle metering is easy to learn. It is a practical, no-frills camera for everyday and travel photography.
On the used market, expect perished foam light seals and mirror-damper foam and budget for a reseal. The meter was designed for a mercury cell, so confirm the match-needle responds and check exposure accuracy if using a modern battery. Test the mechanical shutter across speeds, noting the 1/700 top speed, for capping or sticking, inspect the prism for haze or desilvering, and check the film advance, rewind and focusing screen. The M42 mount widens lens choice for buyers.