Fuji DL-500 Wide Date |
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Manufactured or assembled in Japan from 1991 to (After) 1993.
Index of rarity in France: Infrequent (among non-specialized garage sales)
Inventory number: 1599
See the complete technical specifications
Chronology of cameras Fuji
Traduction de Alphonse Khuu
This camera without aesthetic charm is part of the series of DL cameras (Drop in Loading = easier loading) including several models that are presented on this site.
When we open the back cover, we are able to see this system of loading because it prevents the full opening of the rear cover. To be more exact, a yellow latch prevents it, but it is possible to withdraw this latch and open more widely the rear cover, which is strictly unnecessary, because the film loading is made... under the camera.
It is called mini wide because its lens is a (true) wide-angle of 28mm or a 45mm standard lens (5 isolated elements). A blue button at the top of the camera allows the choice of either focal length. It retracts two of the elements during the transition to the wide angle.
It has a display function of the date on the photos. A battery cell is inserted inside the rear cover to perform the function of calendar. This battery was given for a period of four years. This battery is independent of that which provides the main functions of the camera.
The "Pre-winding" function unfolds the film from the loading of a film and the closing of the back. Each exposed frame is then protected by enrolling in the cartridge.
![Fuji DL-500 Wide Date](../../fuji/images/Fuji_DL500.jpg )
DL stands for Drop-in Loading. It's a Fuji exclusive feature that simplifies the process of loading a new film into the brand's cameras. The film is placed in the camera after pulling out a bit of the leader, and then the back of the camera is closed. The film is automatically fed until the first frame.
This function is often associated with prewinding, meaning that when a new film is inserted, it is fully taken out of its cartridge and stored in a compartment. The film is gradually reintegrated into its cartridge after each shot. In case of accidental opening of the camera, the already exposed part of the film is always protected. At the end of the film, there is no need for rewinding since it is already in the cartridge. One can simply open the camera without fear of accidents.
In the early 1980s, Fuji filed numerous patents related to the loading process from both mechanical and electronic perspectives. One complexity involved the length of the leader extending from the film cartridge. In a typical film loading process, the user must slightly pull out the film, insert the tab into the receiving spool's slot, and correctly align the film perforations with the sprockets. The Drop-in Loading system eliminates all of these steps. Various solutions were considered, such as placing the cartridge in the back of the camera, loading from the bottom (similar to Leica), etc.
Fuji Photo Film Co. Ltd. filed a trademark application for DROP IN LOADING on November 12, 1982. It expired less than two years later.
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Patent No. JPS5868730 relates to the film guiding in easy loading and was issued in 1983. | Patent No. JPS57169736 pertains to the easy loading system and was granted in 1982. |
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Patent No. JPS57201221 is associated with the easy loading system and was granted in 1982. | Patent No. JPS5870218 is related to loading in the back and was granted in 1983. |
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Patent No. US4586801, granted in 1986, is associated with the prewinding process. | Patent No. US4885599 Algorithm for Pre-winding (1989) |
The patents related to prewinding are subsequent to those for the facilitated loading by a few years.
Interesting links or bibliography :
![]() Phot-Argus de Mars 1991 n°176 |
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