Fuji DL-200

The TTL point and Shoot

In the mid 1980s, right around the holiday season, Fuji announced a handful of new cameras with one notable inclusion, the DL-200. In the November 1984 issue of Popular Photography, Steve Pollock goes into detail about the camera recently shown by Fuji in Tokyo. Touted as the first auto everything point and shoot camera with TTL metering, this camera was the sleekest and most feature rich of the somewhat new DL line. That was not the only first this camera had as well. This is also where Fuji introduced pre-winding the film. A not so common feature that completely winds out the film when you start a new roll and winds it back inside the canister as you take pictures. The author notes this as ‘novel’, and he is somewhat right. It is nice to see the frames remaining, but it seems aimed at the potential slip up of opening the cameras back before rewinding the film.

Coming out of japan directly in the middle of the 80s, this camera had a reputation to live up to. The Hi-Fi was moving toward a future of brushed metal, the Walkman was getting thinner, and the point and shoot camera market was on the rise. Dark colors, squared edges, and a minimalistic look leads to this camera’s simple but lasting design. The diagonal sliding lens cover with accents of red, really lean into the camera’s aesthetic. A textured grip around the body with the dual languages on the controls, round out the excellent 80s futuristic design of this auto focus point and shoot.

Looking around the camera for a moment, you may see that there is no obvious place for a battery. That is because it is cleverly hidden within the design. When you open the back of the camera, with a sliding switch on the left hand side, pull down slightly on the chrome quick load mechanism and fully open the camera back. You will find the 223 (CR-P2) battery compartment to the right of the film take up spool. However, this may change slightly depending on the variation of DL-200 that you have. There are two versions of the DL-200, the first having a soldered in battery that initially lasted for 1000 shots (and Fuji would solder in a new one when needed) and a later version with a user replaceable battery. In the Japanese market, the difference between these models was clearly labeled as the DL-200 and DL-200 II, but in other regions, there was no change in name. The way you can tell the difference, being that you cannot look inside the camera, is by the color of the text around the lens. The ‘Fujinon Lens’ and other corresponding text below will be white on the initial soldered in battery version, and yellow on the user replaceable second version. You can still solder in your own battery, but it will be more of a hassle.

The camera is off while the sliding cover is closed, but once the cover has been slid open, the camera is ready to shoot… almost. Before you are able to do anything at all, the flash must be fully charged. I have seen it take mere seconds to around 30 for my example, but that is most likely due to the age of components related to charging the flash capacitor. With the cover now open, you are able to look through the viewfinder where you will find standard frame lines, parallax correction marks, and an AF area in the center. With a half press of the shutter button, you can pre-focus the DL-200 and recompose the image. While half pressed if the light next to the viewfinder is red, the flash is charging, and green when ready. The recharge rate of the flash is very fast as well, never really exceeding three seconds in my tests. Once you take a picture, if you continue holding the shutter button down, this will delay the camera winding until you release it.

To the right of the viewfinder is a mechanical frame counter that will count down, and next to that is a button used for an optional fill flash. Additional controls are also revealed when you slide the cover open. These are the self timer, with corresponding red led blinking on the front of the camera, and a mid roll rewind button. A single strap mount and tripod socket round out the features of the DL-200. My camera also has a data back but this was an optional feature.

A few additional notes on the DL-200. This camera features the Fuji drop in loading design, which I believe is what the DL stands for in the name. The shutter speeds are from 1/40th of a second to 1/400th, with an aperture range of f/2.8 to f/25.6. In operation, the flash will always fire if needed and there is no option for turning it off. Another thing, in the previously mentioned 1984 article, was that DX codes were relatively new at the time and the DL-200 was one of the early cameras to feature this. The ISO goes from 50 to 1600 and that was to be quite an impressive range for the time. Lastly, this camera was also available in a darker red color, possibly only in the Japanese market.

THE SPECS AND FEATURES

Shutter Speeds - 1/40th to 1/400th

Aperture - f/2.8 to f/25.6

Meter Type - TTL metering (direct reading)

Shutter - metal leaf style

ISO - 50 to 1600 (DX coded, 100 ISO default)

Lens - 32mm Fujinon Lens

• 0.6 meters (around 2 feet) to infinity autofocus

Flash Option - built in, auto, fill

Batteries - 223 (CR-P2)

Film Type - 35mm

Other Features - pre-winds film (exposures count down), self timer, mid roll rewind, quick load system, delay winding (if shutter is held)

The Experience

I am a very big fan of the Fuji DL series, and I have consistently been on the lookout to find more cameras to add to my lineup. The first entry in the series I tested out was the DL-120, a truly astounding look at how great a slow lens can really be. I knew I wanted to try a few more of the models, and a DL-200 was on my list. Briefly looking one day, I found a deal on a 'for parts' camera, and after briefly reading people’s experiences and hints on repairs, I took the chance. A week or so later on a sunny Friday after work, the camera arrived. I had a pretty good idea of what the issue could be, however, the camera seemed to have no problems whatsoever. Making sure there was still light out and half running out the door, I quickly threw in a battery, briefly checked the shutter, and hurried out to test the camera.

I had a very old roll of bulk loaded Kodak Pan-X 32, and I was not sure if it was accidentally exposed to light or not. It was only a quick test and I took the chance. The first thing to note about this camera is how loud the focusing mechanism and winding are. I’ve heard this mentioned from other people, and it is most certainly true. You will not be getting stealthy shots with this camera. Another thing to note is the camera projects a small red diamond to help focus. Not really a nuisance to me, but something to be aware of. Once home I checked the default ISO of the camera, and at 100 I would have to sand develop. I chose a time of around four hours, thinking this should produce some result. I was not expecting much, but I am happy to say that I was floored by the results. The film held up incredibly well, and the camera hit the focus on almost all the shots. In bright or dim lighting, the camera seemed to hold its own. This was also before I knew the camera had TTL metering and such a wide exposure range. I was excited about the DL-200 and wanted to try some fresh film and push the limits.

The next day I went out in the morning and tried my hand at some complex lighting situations. The results were great once again. Hitting the focus, perfectly exposed negatives, and decent black and white images. Next, I wanted to try another test with expired film. I had an old roll of Kodak Max 400 and pulled it to 100, hoping for the best. It was a gloomy day right before a storm and I had the goal of capturing the mood. Once again this camera was spot on and did an amazing job. One last test of some in date color film proved to me once again that this camera is incredible. Every picture was perfectly exposed and I could not be happier with this myriad of tests.

This camera has a few quirks and seems to be the more disliked of the DL series. The auto flash is not the best and the loud focusing/winding can be a dealbreaker for some. However, the thing that makes this one of the best cameras in the DL series is the TTL metering. The range of shutter speeds and apertures is quite impressive for a point and shoot, and the metering ability has proven itself in every shot I have taken. Every film and lighting condition I threw at this camera was not a problem. The DL-200 now has a permanent spot in my collection and is a camera that I plan on taking with me more often. Do not write off the DL-200, it is a more than capable camera and one that will never fail to impress you.