The Fujica DL-20 was released in 1983, and came in a few different colours - boring black, a cool bright red and my version - white and orange. I bought it because of the colour, as the combination was so different. Initially I thought the orange had faded over the last 40 years, but no, it is a pale orange.

It comes with a 38mm f4 Fujinon lens and a single shutter speed for each of the two ISO settings - ISO100 1/100th and ISO400 1/300th. Focusing is in three zones and like the Olympus XA2 resets to closest focus when you close the lens. Something I discovered a few frames into the roll!

I found this one on Buyee whilst browsing, and stuck a silly low bid on - and actually won it! I like cameras that are different, and this certainly fits the bill with it’s rotating silver lens surround that acts as the on/off switch and blocks the shutter and viewfinder. The Drop-In loading was a great feature and this was Fujica’s first model with it.

Being summer time, and the look of the camera I wanted vibrant saturated colours and an Eighties look from my images so shot a roll of Truprint Colour 200. I would normally shoot expired 200 film at ISO100 and as that was the only option other than 400 that’s what I did!

I have seen some really good saturated results from Truprint 200 online, so was hopeful my few rolls in the fridge were ok.

Where better to get an old skool vibe then Weston-super-Mare - a seaside town that has fond childhood Eighties memories and still retains the same feel to this day.

The negatives were a tad flat, so I have fiddled with the levels to get the look I wanted. The images are perfect! They are grainy, good colour saturation, and the feel I was after.

Surely nothing screams British summer holidays more than colourful deckchairs on a pier! Probably my favourite image from the roll.

Having not shot the whole roll at the seaside, the Fujica stayed in my bag for the next few weeks for when the sun was out and something interesting caught my eye…

Another location that has not changed in decades is the glorious Sharpness Docks - a place with endless compositions!

Although I did visit the docks area as a kid, it wasn’t until later that I really appreciated the place - from the industrial port to the tranquil banks of the River Severn on a still morning - it has so much to offer the photographer. From the coming and going of big cargo ships, abstract industrial shots to the wildlife on the tidal estuary.

Although the Fujica DL-20 is not that inspiring to use - just another basic point & shoot - the images have character. I don’t think I will ever use it again, so it will go in the ‘for sale’ box, but for it’s looks it was a fun experiment.

The limitations of the fixed shutter speed and having to chase the best light make it not an everyday carry camera, and the images are not good enough for proper work. I think the DL-100 is a much better camera, whilst still having that old skool Eighties vibe.

Fujica DL-20 - Truprint 200…

The working Kowa SE - a rarity!