Fujica ST-901 (1974)
A late-era M42 SLR and Fujica's most advanced model, with full-aperture silicon metering and LED viewfinder indicators.
Overview
The Fujica ST-901 came out in 1974. It was the flagship of Fujica's 35mm SLR lineup and one of the last M42 screw-mount cameras brought to market. It offered aperture-priority automatic exposure with full-aperture silicon photo diode metering, using twin Silicon Blue Cells to read the light. That lets the camera meter through the lens at the lens's maximum aperture, which helps in low light and makes depth-of-field preview easier to use. The ST-901 was also the first SLR to put LEDs in the viewfinder to show exposure settings. The shutter is a mechanical cloth focal-plane type. The specific speed range isn't confirmed, though anecdotal comparisons suggest it is less accurate than earlier models like the ST801.
Design
The ST-901 has open-aperture automatic exposure through a coupled silicon photodiode system, so aperture-priority AE works without stopping down manually. The metering uses twin Silicon Blue Cells, which respond faster and hold steadier than the earlier selenium or CdS cells. The viewfinder has LED indicators, a first for SLR cameras. The mechanical shutter uses a cloth curtain, typical of the period. No official specifications list its full speed range or flash sync capability.
Context
The ST-901 belongs to Fujica's ST series, which also included the ST801 and ST605, and it was the top of the brand's M42 SLR line. Its 1974 release landed as the industry was shifting toward bayonet mounts and more integrated electronic systems, which makes it one of the final high-end M42 models ever produced.
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