I have already tried and liked the FR II version of this line. That camera was sent to me from America. This FR I example was also a gift. It was given to me by a friend who obtained it in West Yorkshire Cameras’ closing-down junk sale. That was a sad event.

The camera didn’t come with a lens, so I attached one I was planning to part with, an f3.8 Yashica 35-105mm. The seals were rotting so I changed those and actually did a fine job. When I came to write this post, I saw them and thought they were the originals, they were so neat. Only my notes gave the game away. My notes also said the counter was not working, which matched the previously tried FR II. The counter gears in this line of cameras must be prone to breaking.

Like the FR II, this model also has a slider to activate the light meter needle. Unlike that version, this model could also work in manual mode. I wonder why it was taken away on later models?? The FR I was introduced in 1977 and remained in production until 1981.

The viewfinder displays all the information you might need. The aperture selection is clear and when you use the slider, the speed the camera selects is also displayed with a needle pointer. The camera’s selection will also be displayed when the camera is in manual mode, but a red ‘M’ will also show. This warns you that the speed might not match what you have manually selected. It does not display the speed you have selected manually.

This display shows the camera’s suggestion of 1/125th for the aperture of f5.6, but as the M is displayed you might have the camera set to 1/1000th so be careful. I have read that the light meter is always on, just the needle doesn’t move without the slider. In that case, it is a good idea to use a lens cap to save your battery power when you are not using the camera.

I loaded my camera with Exeter Pan XX 400 and merrily trundled off to the Rhubarb Festival. At the end of the day, I realised I had set the camera to 50asa. I have no idea why I did that, a brain fart. I knew it was Exeter 400, I even said it aloud to others, but there it was 50asa on the dial. Funnily, the camera was set to automatic, or aperture mode and I didn’t think the choices were slow. Maybe the light meter was faulty.

Given the settings mistake and the light meter issue, I had no idea what timings to use to develop the film. In the end, I opted for the times for 200asa. It was a dull day and a little bit of extra development wouldn’t hurt the film so much??

Here are most of my results from a short film.

I tried hard to get a photo of the English bulldog-type pooch, but every time I pointed the manual focus camera at her, she came in for a cuddle. What a gorgeous thing she is! A recent rescue by a friend.

I liked using this camera/lens combination. Luckily, I have one of its rivals, the Contax RTS. That means I probably won’t keep this one. I am selling some cameras at Boston Spa Camera Fair on 16th March 2025, in the morning, this one will be up for grabs at a bargain price.

Here is another review of the camera, with great sample shots. This post also mentions the film counter was not working on their example, so it is a very common issue. It’s not a deal breaker though, I would still recommend this camera if you are looking for a bargain SLR.