1 comments about Pentax ZX M - SLR camera - 35mm - lens: 50 mm.

1. I bought a Pentax ZX-M (not from Amazon) a couple years ago.
   This is an excellent camera for a great price, and I've gotten my money's worth back and then some. The lens that comes with the kit does particularly well in close shots.
   That being said, there are a couple things to beware of:
   - this camera is not so good for shooting pictures of animals (birds, pets etc) since the shutter is rather loud.
   - it is also very light and so it seems very front-heavy with a big lens or on a light (cheap) tripod. The lightness is a huge plus when hiking or during any activity when you just don't want to lug around heavy stuff.
   - be careful when you need to change the batteries. Try to do so while there's no film loaded. I don't think this is supposed to happen, but it ate the film I was shooting when I ran out of batteries and had to change. I'm pretty sure this was a mistake on my part, so either read the manual carefully and do it right, or just change batteries when there's no film loaded.
   Happy shooting!

No comments about Mamiya 645 Pro TL Body.

5 comments about Minolta Maxxum 9 Professional 35mm SLR Camera (Body Only).

1. The Minolta Maxxum 9 is the the best camera I have had the joy to use. It's built rock solid and has not let me down.



2. I have owned the camera since April 2003 and it has produced some wonderful images for me. (...) . A lot of camera aficionados claim that the Maxxum 9 is not as good as the other true pro-level cameras by Nikon and Canon. On paper, there may be some merit to this argument. Going by pure specs alone on paper, the F5 and EOS1V certainly are more electronically advanced than the Maxxum 9, and the devoted pro following for these two excellent machines is a huge statement for these two brands. By the way I'll be the first to say that Nikon and Canon both make excellent products, so if all you diehard loyalists expect me to badmouth your beloved brands just because I love Minolta, I ain't that kind of guy. But in real-world shooting situations, and taken on its own merits, the Maxxum 9 is no less of a professional machine than the F5 or EOS1V. The ease of use of the Maxxum 9 shines through. Admittedly, the Maxxum 9's AF system is more basic, but the hidden beauty is that it is simple to comprehend and use, and is plenty fast to boot. The 14-segment honeycomb metering is an older design than Canon's, and certainly not as sexy-sounding as the Nikon 1005pixel RGB sensor. But the bottom line is that it produces well-exposed images on slide film at a success rate at least as good as the other two. Simply put, the Maxxum 9 is no F5 or EOS1V, nor should it be. The simple fact is that it is a very reliable, extremely easy to use picturemaker, and as long as you mount top-quality Minolta G-Series optics on it there is no reason to feel inferior standing next to someone with an F5 or EOS1V. The popular belief that Minolta optics are inferior is also undeserved. I've watched many times over as store sales people used entry level Minolta SLRs and lenses to illustrate Minolta's "inferior" build quality against a pro-level rig in the form of a Nikon F5 with an 80-200 f/2.8 AF-S !!! I still run into snobby brandname "camera collectors" who ask me this: "Why use Minolta?" upon seeing my Maxxum 9 slung around my neck. I simply say "Why not?"



3. I have spent a lot of time in camera stores and I have always thought Minolta products always got unfairly shoved to the side. The notion that Minolta cameras and lenses are inferior to Nikon and Canon is crap, and is perpetuated by certain camera snobs and self-proclaimed experts. I shoot regularly as an advanced amateur and I own and use the Maxxum 9. I feel that it is the most intuitive 35mm professional camera out there. The quality of construction is first rate, on par with the best that Nikon and Canon have to offer. The camera has a solid feel, everything about it is high quality. The control layout is so self-explanatory that most photographers can learn to use the camera in 5 minutes without flipping through the manual. With respect to lenses. I still run into narrow-minded people who ask me which "Nikkors" I use upon seeing my photographs, and then these self-proclaimed "experts" simply refuse to believe me when I inform them that my images are all created with Minolta AF cameras and lenses. No, I am not kicking Canon and Nikon products, obviously they are very good, several million pros using those systems cannot be wrong about them. But pretentious "camera aficionados" who slight the Maxxum 9 don't know what they are missing out on. I am sold on the Minolta Maxxum 9. When choosing lenses go for the G-Series, optically they are cut every bit as good as the very best lenses Nikon and Canon make. I've shot pictures with all these brands and even established pros who shoot with other systems admit that my images are just as sharp as any they've seen or made. And they absolutely love the 9's layout. Minolta would do well to stay with the Maxxum 9's basic concept when designing their future pro cameras. Now if they would only make a full frame digital body based on the Maxxum 9...........



4. I have owned the Maxxum 9 for about a year now and have no complaints. I bought it because of the good reviews I read on the internet. Very tough camera. I use it frequently. I purchased 2 interchangeable lenses for it and I am satisfied with the operation and the outcome of my pictures, which I also need to include is the are 21 Custom Funcions.



5. This camera has worked on my mind for a few years now ever since its introduction in 1999. As a long time Nikon owner, I avioded buying one. I mean it's not the most beautiful camera in the world. But at last it began to look good to me, I mean really good and I decided I must own one. But, alas, they are nearly out of production. I had to settle for a well cared for used one. The camera works like a dream. The controls are easy to locate and easy to use, even in the dark. They glow. There is a limited production still available in stainless and titanium and I think the Dynax european edition is still available if you can locate one. The limited edition sells for ahefty $2500. and is currently back ordered. Get one if you can and the heck with anyone who tells you its not pro and ugly.

No comments about INTOVA Snap Sights SS03 Reusable Land Flash Camera.

No comments about Fuji QUICKSNAP-SF800 Quicksnap Smart Flash.

5 comments about Canon EOS Elan 7ne SLR Camera (Body Only).

1. Okay, first off, I'd like to say that this is my first AF SLR--I stepped up from my dinosaur of a camera, Canon AE-1 manual focus, and right now I am quite overwhelmed by all the features in this little thing. I'm still in the learning stages of all this technology but let me tell you this, I am having fun! It amazes me that Canon can offer quite an impressive camera for the price.
   
   I just received my first few rolls from the developer and the pictures came out amazing--so clear and the colors are very vibrant. Just to let you know, I'm using the 28-105mm f/3.5-4.5 USM lens. I took the suggestions of many and passed up on the "kit" lens and I'm sure glad I did so. I would highly recommend the f/3.5-4.5 lens, but unfortunately for the rest of you, Amazon has discontinued it. But you could order it from one of the many other photo shops (B&H, Adorama, etc).
   
   Do I have any regrets on this purchase? Absolutely not! I love this camera and even though I've owned it for less than a month, I'm actually thinking about stepping up to the EOS 3 and using this as a backpacking/hiking body. Hmm...what to do, what to do? Do I purchase another body or start a collection of L-series glass? ...that is the question.



2. I am enjoying my new Canon EOS Elan. I find it comfortable to hold and easy to use. I have not yet had the opportunity to try out all the features, but the few films I have exposed in auto mode and had developed satisfy my needs at this point. The rewind mechanism is VERY quiet which is nice if you plan to use the camera at a public event.



3. I bought this camera in 2002 (when it was the Elan 7e), the only difference is body texture, lit display, and a slightly faster autofocuser. The camera works great and the pictures are great. It takes 4 fps. I don't use this camera anymore since going digital with my EOS 40D but if I would recommend a film camera at a good price, this would be the camera. If you still use film, this is a camera that is hard to beat at the price.



4. I picked up EOS Elan 7NE a few days ago (since it is not available at Amazon I had to order elsewhere), after I noticed that 35mm film cameras in advanced hobbyist/enthusiast range are getting rare, and I'm a dedicated film shooter. I plan using Elan alongside my trusty AE-1's; I just wanted something more modern, with AF etc and what won't brake the bank. 7NE definitely fits the bill; I ordered this body with EF 28mm-105mm f3.5-4.5 II USM lens which is supposed to be significantly better then entry-level 28mm-90mm that comes with available Elan kits at better online camera stores.
   
   Camera is feature-packed; luckily the 100-page small booklet manual is well written and consistent in giving enough info to get you going. I'd like to add that the camera is somewhat bigger then I thought (I'll try to upload a shot of 7NE and AE-1 side by side for size comparison), however size shouldn't be a drawback. Overall it feels solid and is easy to hold, controls are well laid out, and I have overall a good feel about it. I shot a test roll of B&W PlusX with it the other day and it came out decent even on full-auto mode. I also tried the eye-controlled focus, and yes it works as advertised.
   
   BTW, there is large variety of used Elan and EOS bodies available for low prices on auction site, however I wanted to get a spankin new 100% functional & dent-free camera so there wouldn't be any surprises; since the 7NE body is so affordable, why not to buy brand new.



5. Like many people, I started out with a Canon Rebel XTi and wet my toes with its kit lens for over a year before I felt the need to up to a prime 50mm and a L-series telephoto (70-200 F4).
   
   I was seduced by the myth of having a full frame camera but as a university student, couldn't afford to plunk two grand on a camera body after draining all my resources on the lenses. I decided to have a cheap full frame by buying an ancient Canon Canonet QL17 off ebay and I fell in love with shooting film so much that I brought a refurbished Elan 7e as well.
   
   I went out to do some street photography today and have been using the Elan 7e since March. It has all the features I love on my XTi but in an affordable full-frame 35mm package. Looking through the huge viewfinder is always a pleasure and going back to the dim and narrow viewfinder of the XTi reminds me how much more subject you can fit inside a real 35mm frame. Using film is a pleasure too, I have honestly became a better photographer because I take significantly more time with each shot and I focus more on composition and framing than trying to luck out a shot with the "machine-gun" shutter of digital SLRs.
   
   I use this film camera along with a few others (I have since became a collector of film cameras) for my personal projects and I have since dedicated my XTi for photojournalism and event photos for quick transfer and convenience.
   
   I highly recommend the Elan 7E and it's newer cousin the 7NE as an affordable alternative to the dreamy 5D or the recently announced Nikon D700. And finally, a 50mm is a 50mm and not 80 something.

5 comments about Canon Sure Shot Z155 Caption Date Zoom 35mm Camera.

1. I am so glad after seeing the other reviews to know that I'm not crazy- this camera really is awful! The inconsistent quality of photos is dreadful, with many underlit and blurry for no clear reason. I love my other Cannon and wish they would stay away from making such supposedly "smart" cameras.



2. Bought this camera in a pinch as our old one broke two days before Christmas. Didn't get a chance to read the reviews here first (and I'm glad I didn't or I probably would not have bought it!). I quickly snapped a roll of 24-exposure film to try the camera out and see if we wanted to keep it.

   The pictures came out BEAUTIFULLY! I took some indoors, some out. Some with the fully automatic point-and-shoot, and expermimented with the potrait mode, sports action mode, and night mode. They all came out fantastically!

   It's like having two cameras in one - a fully automatic no-brainer point and shoot as well as some features that allow you to be more creative and experimental with photography if you want to. Also a great zoom.

   Canon must have corrected the issues that some of the eariler reviewers posted, because I did not experience any of these problems.




3. Although my canon rebel SLR is incredible and we've had great canon's before, this one is very disappointing and inconsistent. I've had the same problems as others with blurry pictures and delays in taking photos after pushing the button. I'd recommend finding another camera or upgrading to a SLR from Canon (though pricey).



4. I was surprised to read all the negative reviews about the canon z155. My own experience with this camera has been basically positive. Since purchasing the camera 7 months ago, the majority of my prints have been sharp, clear, colors bright and true to life. The only drawback i can think of is the pictures do tend to blur when using full zoom without a tripod. I dont think this is specifically Canon's problem, though, because photography books all recommend using a tripod when using a high zoom. At 155mm, one needs a very steady hand or the pictures blur. When I do use a tripod, even my pictures at the highest zoom come out crystal clear. I'd recommend this camera anytime!



5. Overall I'm happy with this camera. I had to replace a point and shoot pentax. I'm pretty happy with the pics I get with this point and shoot. I've gotten a few blurry ones, that I may have moved. Unfortunately the price wasn't as good when I bought it. It has an optional remote control which I was used to on my pentax and the zoom is longer. Overall a good camera.

No comments about Canon EOS Rebel XSi (a.k.a. 450D) SLR Digital Camera Kit (Black) EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Lens (Black) + Transcend 8GB SDHC6 Memory Card w/ Reader + Digital Camera Gadget Bag (Black).

No comments about Vivitar 3X Power Zoom 35mm Camera with Date Back.

1 comments about Konica Z-UP 150 VP Date 35mm Camera.

1. I bought this camera because I have been switching back and forth between a Pentax zoom camera I won in a drawing and my six-year-old date-stamp Konica. I had finally had it. I wanted a camera that could zoom AND date stamp at the same time without me having to resort to my digital camera all the time. I'm a member of Amex's membership rewards program and one of their rewards is this camera. I compared it with the other Konica cameras of its caliber. I researched it in contrast to other companies' offerings for similar systems. .... I received the camera right before we went on vacation to CA. Can I just say that I *LOVE* this camera! It's light, easy to use, and takes great photos! The only way they could make it better would be if it had greater zoom capacity and I could see the photo before it was written to the film. If you're on a tight budget, yet don't want your camera to look like you are, then this is the camera for you. And if you can use gift certificates and coupons to get it through Amazon.com, all the better!!