Fujifilm's early Fujica SLR — the ST701, silicon-cell TTL metering, mechanical shutter, M42 mount, 1971.
The Fujica ST701 is a 35mm film SLR made by Fuji Photo Film, marketed under the Fujica name. Introduced in 1971, it was an early SLR notable for using silicon photodiodes for its light meter at a time when most rivals used CdS cells. It uses the M42 screw lens mount, giving it access to the wide range of universal screw-thread lenses of the period.
As a specification summary, the ST701 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 speeds from 1 second to 1/1000 plus Bulb. Metering is through-the-lens, stop-down, using silicon blue cells, and is shown as a match-needle in the viewfinder for manual exposure setting. The shutter is mechanical and fires without a battery; the battery powers only the meter.
The ST701 suits users who want a compact, mechanically-reliable screw-mount SLR and access to the large pool of affordable M42 lenses, useful for students, travel and general photography. Its mechanical shutter means it keeps working if the meter battery is dead, and the silicon meter was quick to respond. It is a straightforward manual camera that rewards a considered shooting approach.
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 readings may be off with modern replacements unless adjusted; confirm the match-needle responds to light. Test the mechanical shutter across speeds for capping or sticking, inspect the prism for haze or desilvering, and check the film advance, rewind and focusing screen. The M42 mount accepts a very wide range of screw lenses, an advantage for buyers.