5 comments about NIKON FM3A 35mm SLR Camera Body (Lens not included).

1. Is everyone you know buying a digital camera? I have decided to go against the trend, and bought a FM3A. A light-weight and nearly manual camera. Why Nikon? After having used Canon for 20 years I decided to make the switch because I wanted better built quality. Something that lasts.

   This baby has nearly all the pro features you are looking for in a camera. Built-in light meter, TTL flash, DX ISO, 1/4000 to 1 second, plus B. I usually choose the semi-automatic mode; by setting the aperture manually, then allowing the camera to set the shutter speed automatically.

   As such, this camera is perfect for landscape photography. If you are like nature, and enjoy bush-walking or mountaineering, this Nikon is great. It only weighs 570g. This means that you can get away with using a light-weight tripod - if you don't mount big glass (a heavy telephoto lens). And it does not take much space. Good for travelling as well.

   The only feature I sometimes miss is mirror lock-up. Without mirror lock-up, camera shake can cause problems at slower shutter speeds. But you can get around this issue by using the self-timer (causing the mirror to flip up before the shot is taken). A spot light-meter would have been nice, but you can still take spot readings by using a longer lens (or by zooming in).

   The good thing about this film camera is that it provides me with the best of both worlds. I have the quality (and cheap price!) of film, the convenience of (slide) projection, but I can still scan the images into the computer if I need them digitally. And I can use the same set of lenses, should I decide to buy a digital body one day.

   This is a simple to use semi-automatic camera - yet you can get find accessories for it (Nikon and third party) - including a motor-drive and flash.

   Classic camera. I love it. Highly recommended.




2. If you are looking for a camera without all the whizbang circuitry and computerizations that take the challenge out of setting up a camera, you have two choices. The first is to take your chances in the used market. The second choice is the Nikon FM3a.

   The FM3a is a completely mechanical camera with only the most basic electronics built in. DX sensors make forgetting to reset the film settings a thing of the past. The Aperture Priority shutter setting allows the you to let the camera do the heavy work of deciding the shutter speed. And the center-weighted TTL metering makes an external light meter redundant.

   Forget all those niceties. You are looking for a camera that will take you back to the beginning, back to a time when you enjoyed the fiddling and fondling of cameras. You don't want the automations, and with this camera, you don't need to think about them. The film ISO settings can be changed manually to allow pushing and pulling of film. The shutter speed can be set manually from 8 seconds down to 1/4000th of a second. And the focusing and aperture setting is ALL manual.

   If you like having complete control over a camera, this is the one for you. It won't give you spot metering or auto-focus or 'portrait' mode and 'landscape' mode. But it will give you the tools to craft the photos you want, the way you want.

   It's not a digital wonder. Thank heavens.

   That said, there are a few things Nikon could have done better. They could have put in a mirror lockup to keep the camera steadier. They could have made the exposure compensation dial easier to use (get rid of that button, Nikon!). And they could have made the light meter easier to see in the dark. But these things are niggling inconsistencies at worst.

   The camera works well and is excellent at what it does. The rest, as they say, is up to you.




3. I just bought one of these used, but in great condition. What a joy to hold and use! Light, fast, responsive, but not a toy for ones who like "idiot proof" cameras. A peerless image making tool for those who know what they want and can still multiply & divide by 2.... I wear glasses, and the finder presents no problems. Standard PC connector for studio use, and cable release for time exposures. NO SHUTTER LAG! If you can see it and hit the button, the moment is captured on film for the ages. Add an MD12 motordrive, Vivitar 285 flash and you've got a set-up that will do anything. This rugged and substantial camera will go anywhere. Best of all, no batteries are needed for basic operation. Cons? I don't have two of them! Get a 50mm F1.8 lens with it and skip the cheap zoom. You'll see what photography was meant to be.



4. This is definitely one of the top five cameras on the market. Completely worth whatever you pay for it. Its durable, easy to use and turns out fantasic quality photos.



5. There are many good reasons to get the FM3a:
   * It weighs about the same amount as an N80 (my previous camera), but virtually everything on it is made of metal.
   * Batteries are easy to find and cheap because you rarely need to replace them. I recommend getting the single, larger lithium battery for the sake of convenience.
   * It combines bits of the FMx and FEx series to form a hybrid manual/electronic system, so if you're in a situation where you can't use battery power for whatever reason you can still use it as a fully manual camera.
   * It's not as chunky as AF cameras like the F100, but the tradeoff is that the ergonomics are very different.
   * The simple controls are easy to learn and can be used while wearing gloves. The knowledge also transfers easily to other manual-focus Nikon cameras you might buy in the future, like a used F-series model.
   * Because this is a mechanical camera and not an AF camera being used in Manual Mode, there's no risk that you'll hit something accidentally and spend a couple of minutes trying to figure out what you changed. I used to periodically knock my N80 back into AF or auto exposure while pulling it out of my camera bag, which got really annoying when I had to take a quick shot.
   * It can use a traditional, cheap screw-in shutter release cable. It's easy to find long cables for $20 and under at places like eBay.
   * It has Aperture Priority mode, unlike other FM cameras.
   * Unlike some older mid-range Nikons, it goes up to a shutter speed of 1/4,000 a second.
   * DX coding, which can be very handy when you've got a mixed bag of film speeds.
   * Last, but certainly not least, you have a wide range of used, well-made AI Nikon lenses available to you. I recommend getting `80s (but not E series) manual-focus lenses because they're metal and easy to find used for around $100 or less (I got my 50mm/f1.4 for $60).
   
   HOWEVER...if you're on more of a budget, you might be better off finding an older model like the FE (which I also have). It is more or less the same body, with little differences here and there.
   
   If you're split over which to get, here's a few things to keep in mind when comparing the FM3a and the FE:
   * Price! The FE is fairly common, so one in decent shape sells for $150 and under. You might even find a combination FE/manual-focus lens auction on eBay going for about half that.
   * Accessories. The bodies are very similar, so they can use some of the same accessories like the rubber eyecup and the MD-12 motor drive.
   * Age. The FE was made in the late `70s/early `80s, so there's more of a risk that something isn't working right. On the other hand, there's plenty of sellers who've used their FE a handful of times and then stored it in a closet.
   * Smoother speed dial and film advance lever. Compared to the FE, the FM3a is much stiffer, though you can feel each click on the shutter speed dial more easily.
   * A darker focusing screen, which is good or bad depending on whether you use fast glass.
   * Shutter speed. The FE only goes up to 1/1,000 of a second, and the maximum flash sync speed is also lower.
   * No DX coding, so you have to set the ISO speed manually.
   * It can't take the single lithium battery that the FM3a can because the voltage is slightly too low to power it. The 2 alkalines work fine, though, and the FE has a switch next to the eyepiece to check battery power. Your shutter speed options are very limited if you run out of power.
   * No viewing window for checking on the film canister. Instead, it's got a little slot that you can stick the end of a film box in as a reminder of what film you've got loaded.

4 comments about Minolta Maxxum XTsi 35mm SLR Camera Kit w/ 28-80mm Lens.

1. I wanted an SLR camera that I could use manually or have it all automatic, and one I can grow with, and this is the perfect camera for that - The camera is easy to use, and instruction book, although a bit long, is very detailed and guides you every step of the way!



2. this is a great camera. It takes great pictures and it is easy to use.



3. After much research and shopping, the XTsi has the most versatility and features for the money. Most retail stores in the area only sell the less expensive Minolta Maxxum cameras at the same price as the XTsi here at Amazon. The panoramic option is great for those senic mountain views and the camera is truely intuitive. I would recommend this camera to anyone who is either just getting into photography or is looking to step up from a compact 35mm camera.



4. This camera is absolutely superb in function, clarity, ease of use, and all around enjoyment. It is light, yet does not have the "cheap" feel of other cameras, the AutoFocus is quick and quiet, and it takes excellent pictures. The manual side of this camera is easy to setup and operate. Additional lenses can be had at reasonable prices. The built in flash works flawlessly. For those individuals who need an external flash, they can be purchased, although they are pricey. I recommend this camera for everyone from beginners to professionals.

5 comments about Canon EOS Elan 7 E Date 35mm SLR Camera (Body Only).

1. For the record, I have been using this camera for over 2 years now and I shoot mainly nature and people.

   The Canon Elan 7E/EOS30 is a fantastic all around camera for beginners/intermediate photographers.

   At the time of buying this camera, there was a confusion whether to choose the rebel or the elan 7E. I would very strongly recommend anyone to consider buying the intermediate Elan 7 as compared to the basic rebel. The rebel has a very "plasticky" feel to it and if I remember correctly, there is a single knob to set both the aperture and the shutter speed. Once you move away from shooting it as point and shoot, you will realize that the single knob can get incredibely irritating.

   As for the "E" i.e. eye focus, I never really used it too much but am planning to shortly. So you can save some money by getting the Elan 7, if you so wish since the Eye feature is essentially just a gimmick. Now I also wish I had got the date feature, since down the road it might be an useful tool. (say, 40 yrs, from now, you want to know when the picture was taken ;) )

   The most wonderful thing about the ELan 7E is that it allows you to grow with it...It offers a whole bunch of features, that I think will take you from a beginning stage (point and shoot) to a more advanced stage (total manual) phase. After shooting over 20 rolls of film and slide, I still find myself reading the manual and noting down some new feature to try out on my next roll.

   Small piece of advice for beginners.. I realize now that the money you spend on lenses might be worth almost more than the money you spend on the camera. Coz even the best camera cannot produce a decent picture with a bad lens. I would strongly recommend avoiding the standard lens(28-90mm, I think) that comes bundled with it (even if the total package is cheap). I bought the body separate and a canon 28-105 f/3.5-4.5 and I have never regretted the decision. Its a relatively sharp lens at both ends and is always mounted on my camera for shooting almost anything. If you are on a tight budget get the Canon 50 mm 1.8 II which sells in most shops ... I am now slowly saving up for a L series lens.

   Besides the usual preset options like portrait,landscape,closeup,sports,night mode,the Elan 7E offers a whole bunch of features that I found really useful. Here are some of them,

   1) Depth of field preview button.
   2) DEP (depth of field AE) - this really helps if your lens does not have a distance scale (like the 28-105mm). Say for e.g., you need to preset the depth of scale from 0 to infinity, this feature helps you to achieve that effect without the distance scale on your lens.
   3) AE lock
   4) Exposure compensation - you can set the exposure compensation upto + or - 2 stops in half stop increments and you can do it without taking your eyes of the viewfinder.
   5) Auto exposure bracketting - for those really important pictures that you dont want to miss :)
   6) bulb exposures - allows you to have as long a exposure as you want. I found this really useful. I hear that some cameras have limitations on how long they can be exposed. (RS - 60E3 shutter release cable is really useful for this)
   7) multiple exposures
   8) mirror lockup etc etc etc.

   The built in flash suffices for all my needs. Lots of people recommended the battery pack, but I would suggest anyone buying this camera to first check it out themselves. I find the grip good enough for me.

   All in all, I just love this camera. I have been having great fun for past 2 yrs with it and am confident of having lots more fun for few more years at least and I dont think you will get a better performance for this price...If you have the money, just get it & start shooting !!

   Strengths:
   1) Solid feel and good looks
   2) Enough bells and whistles to keep you curious and interested for quite some time.
   3) focussing point selection with seven focussing points (auto or manual)
   4) whole bunch of lenses to choose from
   5) built in flash
   6) Rugged build - have used extensively in real hot weather(AZ) as well as sub zero temperatures (MI)
   7)Relatively light and compact.
   8)Best price/performance ratio

   Weaknesses:
   1) I feel an LCD would have been invaluable tool to have during low-lit situations
   2)Lack of spot metering - this is one feature I would have loved to use.
   3)Auto focus fails to activate when you try to shoot closeups(macros), cloudy landscapes or under low light situations
   4) Depth of field preview button is hidden...I have never been able to activate it without taking my eyes off the viewfinder !




2. I read the previous reviews and agree with most everything. This is a great camera that can be easily used by a beginner but has the features wanted by experienced pros.

   The one thing I was disapointed in is that it did not say anywhere, until I already purchased the "E" model and read the manual, that the EYE CONTROL DOES NOT WORK IF YOU WEAR CONATCT LENSES. The "E" model was a waste of money for me due to this and that is the reason I gave this camera 4 out of the 5 stars.




3. Till yesterday I was all praises for this camera and would have given 5 stars. Its got the features for a beginner to reach a serious amature role with low cost. Well yesterday it died on me. I have had the camera for 2.5 years and shot probably around 100 rolls with it.
   
   Now its a great camera. Its given me some awesome pictures. I like the metering except the fact that is does not have spot metering. This is a disadvantage. More over the the partial region of the camera is not well defined. I have the eye control. 85% it works and its great. But it does fail and irritates me at times. Low light focus is not so good but with the speedlight(420EX) it focus in a sec. What a difference. The depth of preview button is at time hard to find
   
   I love the fash 4 frames per second. I used it twice but it gave me great results. I love the feel of the camera.
   
   With all its defects I love the camera and might go in for the same.



4. Talk about bang for your buck. This camera has everything you'd expect from a mid-range camera and some you usually only find on high-end cameras. The eye control focus works great though you do need to calibrate it many times in different lighting conditions. The controls are well placed and easy to use. The custom functions are relatively simple to set and allow you to customize how the camera operates. Functions like the true mirror lock-up and the 4 fps advance speed help place this camera securely in the top ranks of its class. The thing that surprised me the most was the near silent operation. Even on rewind you can only hear it if you place your ear near the body (unless of course you choose to rewind at the faster speed). Of course there are options I'd love to see added like a PC cable port and an interchangeable focusing screen but thats why there are pro class cameras. Like I said before, this camera is hard to beat for the price.



5. This is an absolutely great camera. Out of the 35mm's, it is the best model (in my opinion) and has some features desired in professional models. Very fast shutter speed, different shooting modes, DOF preview and many other features lead up to the cameras spectacular picture clarity (I shoot with a Tamron Lenses). You Will NOT regret this purchase

No comments about SMC Pentax-m 50mm 1:1.7.

No comments about Takumara-a 2x Tele-converter.

5 comments about Canon EOS Elan 7 E 35mm SLR Camera (Body Only).

1. For the record, I have been using this camera for over 2 years now and I shoot mainly nature and people.

   The Canon Elan 7E/EOS30 is a fantastic all around camera for beginners/intermediate photographers.

   At the time of buying this camera, there was a confusion whether to choose the rebel or the elan 7E. I would very strongly recommend anyone to consider buying the intermediate Elan 7 as compared to the basic rebel. The rebel has a very "plasticky" feel to it and if I remember correctly, there is a single knob to set both the aperture and the shutter speed. Once you move away from shooting it as point and shoot, you will realize that the single knob can get incredibely irritating.

   As for the "E" i.e. eye focus, I never really used it too much but am planning to shortly. So you can save some money by getting the Elan 7, if you so wish since the Eye feature is essentially just a gimmick. Now I also wish I had got the date feature, since down the road it might be an useful tool. (say, 40 yrs, from now, you want to know when the picture was taken ;) )

   The most wonderful thing about the ELan 7E is that it allows you to grow with it...It offers a whole bunch of features, that I think will take you from a beginning stage (point and shoot) to a more advanced stage (total manual) phase. After shooting over 20 rolls of film and slide, I still find myself reading the manual and noting down some new feature to try out on my next roll.

   Small piece of advice for beginners.. I realize now that the money you spend on lenses might be worth almost more than the money you spend on the camera. Coz even the best camera cannot produce a decent picture with a bad lens. I would strongly recommend avoiding the standard lens(28-90mm, I think) that comes bundled with it (even if the total package is cheap). I bought the body separate and a canon 28-105 f/3.5-4.5 and I have never regretted the decision. Its a relatively sharp lens at both ends and is always mounted on my camera for shooting almost anything. If you are on a tight budget get the Canon 50 mm 1.8 II which sells in most shops ... I am now slowly saving up for a L series lens.

   Besides the usual preset options like portrait,landscape,closeup,sports,night mode,the Elan 7E offers a whole bunch of features that I found really useful. Here are some of them,

   1) Depth of field preview button.
   2) DEP (depth of field AE) - this really helps if your lens does not have a distance scale (like the 28-105mm). Say for e.g., you need to preset the depth of scale from 0 to infinity, this feature helps you to achieve that effect without the distance scale on your lens.
   3) AE lock
   4) Exposure compensation - you can set the exposure compensation upto + or - 2 stops in half stop increments and you can do it without taking your eyes of the viewfinder.
   5) Auto exposure bracketting - for those really important pictures that you dont want to miss :)
   6) bulb exposures - allows you to have as long a exposure as you want. I found this really useful. I hear that some cameras have limitations on how long they can be exposed. (RS - 60E3 shutter release cable is really useful for this)
   7) multiple exposures
   8) mirror lockup etc etc etc.

   The built in flash suffices for all my needs. Lots of people recommended the battery pack, but I would suggest anyone buying this camera to first check it out themselves. I find the grip good enough for me.

   All in all, I just love this camera. I have been having great fun for past 2 yrs with it and am confident of having lots more fun for few more years at least and I dont think you will get a better performance for this price...If you have the money, just get it & start shooting !!

   Strengths:
   1) Solid feel and good looks
   2) Enough bells and whistles to keep you curious and interested for quite some time.
   3) focussing point selection with seven focussing points (auto or manual)
   4) whole bunch of lenses to choose from
   5) built in flash
   6) Rugged build - have used extensively in real hot weather(AZ) as well as sub zero temperatures (MI)
   7)Relatively light and compact.
   8)Best price/performance ratio

   Weaknesses:
   1) I feel an LCD would have been invaluable tool to have during low-lit situations
   2)Lack of spot metering - this is one feature I would have loved to use.
   3)Auto focus fails to activate when you try to shoot closeups(macros), cloudy landscapes or under low light situations
   4) Depth of field preview button is hidden...I have never been able to activate it without taking my eyes off the viewfinder !




2. I read the previous reviews and agree with most everything. This is a great camera that can be easily used by a beginner but has the features wanted by experienced pros.

   The one thing I was disapointed in is that it did not say anywhere, until I already purchased the "E" model and read the manual, that the EYE CONTROL DOES NOT WORK IF YOU WEAR CONATCT LENSES. The "E" model was a waste of money for me due to this and that is the reason I gave this camera 4 out of the 5 stars.




3. Till yesterday I was all praises for this camera and would have given 5 stars. Its got the features for a beginner to reach a serious amature role with low cost. Well yesterday it died on me. I have had the camera for 2.5 years and shot probably around 100 rolls with it.
   
   Now its a great camera. Its given me some awesome pictures. I like the metering except the fact that is does not have spot metering. This is a disadvantage. More over the the partial region of the camera is not well defined. I have the eye control. 85% it works and its great. But it does fail and irritates me at times. Low light focus is not so good but with the speedlight(420EX) it focus in a sec. What a difference. The depth of preview button is at time hard to find
   
   I love the fash 4 frames per second. I used it twice but it gave me great results. I love the feel of the camera.
   
   With all its defects I love the camera and might go in for the same.



4. Talk about bang for your buck. This camera has everything you'd expect from a mid-range camera and some you usually only find on high-end cameras. The eye control focus works great though you do need to calibrate it many times in different lighting conditions. The controls are well placed and easy to use. The custom functions are relatively simple to set and allow you to customize how the camera operates. Functions like the true mirror lock-up and the 4 fps advance speed help place this camera securely in the top ranks of its class. The thing that surprised me the most was the near silent operation. Even on rewind you can only hear it if you place your ear near the body (unless of course you choose to rewind at the faster speed). Of course there are options I'd love to see added like a PC cable port and an interchangeable focusing screen but thats why there are pro class cameras. Like I said before, this camera is hard to beat for the price.



5. This is an absolutely great camera. Out of the 35mm's, it is the best model (in my opinion) and has some features desired in professional models. Very fast shutter speed, different shooting modes, DOF preview and many other features lead up to the cameras spectacular picture clarity (I shoot with a Tamron Lenses). You Will NOT regret this purchase

No comments about Nikon F6 35mm Autofocus SLR Camera Body - Refurbished by Nikon U.S.A..

1 comments about Pentax ZX-7 Date AF SLR Camera (Body Only).

1. Moved from Me-Super to ZX-7. Worth the 175$ I paid used.
   WTG Pentax.

5 comments about Pentax ZX-7 35mm SLR Camera (Body Only).

1. I just bought a Pentaz ZX-7 a few months ago. Since then I have taken numerous rolls of film, and I have only been satisfied with the quality of the photos.I like the fact that it has metal binding, and I like how I can take both panoramic and regular pictures. I enjoy using both the automatic mode, and the manual mode. I recommend this camera to both beginners and professionals.



2. This camera was bought without any for knowledge of the Pentax SLR, but after comparing it with most of the SLR range I decided to buy One and take the chance. Every thing about the camera looked and felt very good and to give it the rating I have, it has peformed wonders for me. A large part of my Photography is taking photos of N guage Model Trains, and with my 28 - 80 Auto Focus Lens with a 2 x Magnifyer Lens screwed on it takes Portraights to fill 5" x 7" Photo of a Locomotive barely 3" Long & 1" tall. I cannot praise the Camera enough and from a Photographer to a Junior learner it is simple to operate and should never let you down, because if your settings are wrong it will not take the picture.



3. I bought this camera without any knowledge of Photography. All I have ever used is point and shoot cameras and this was my first SLR. I reviewed all the SLR cameras in the market for a long time and ultimately decided on this. The best part of this camrera is that it has a metal mount unlike others in its range which have plastic mounts. I use a 28-200 Tamron lens and it is a big and heavy lens but the metal mount has no problems. I use my camera roughly but it is so solidly built that it has no effect on it. The pictures are perfect. My wife who cannot take good pics even with a point and shoot digital cameras, takes awesome pictures with this camera. The other good part with this camera is that it has Memory Lock. Look for the ML key on the back top right hand corner of the camera. That's a very important feature which Nikon N65 and Rebel 2000 have excluded.
   The only words I have for it are "GO FOR IT".



4. The zx-7 is just a wonderful camera. It is so easy to use and we still have yet to shoot a bad picture. I enjoy it so much that I went out and bought the Sigma 300mm lens for it-awesome. The best thing is when you upgrade to a new flash-the camera and flash communicate with each other before the photo is taken. This camera has the most options for the price. I recommend this camera to everyone!



5. Pentax ZX-7 could be suitably placed in the "most bang for the bucks" category. It is a feature laden camera(useful features and not just bells and whistles) which will satisfy both the amateurs as well as the pros.

   I am using a Sigma AF 28-200mm F3.5-5.6 DL Aspherical Hyperzoom Macro lens. This zoom is also a satisfying product and gives quite sharp and well balanced results.

   The photographs have come out well exposed and crisp. The RTF flash is OK for lighted indoors but for outdoors, a TTL external flash is required (I am using a Pentax AF280T).

   It provides plenty of flexibility when using the various priority modes. For the greenhorns the "auto picture" mode will be very helpful.

   Pentax accessory - Battery Pack FG will be quite useful for users as one can use cheaper standard "AA" batteries instead of the expensive "LC" batteries.

   Metal lens mount, multiple exposure, TTL RTF flash, silver finish body etc. are some of the features in this well designed SLR camera.

   I am very much missing the DOF as my present 28-200mm zoom has a shallow depth of field and it is very difficult to judge the depth of sharpness. My older non-AF Pentax camera (ProgramA) had this capability

No comments about Pentax Zx-5 and Postmaster 28mm lens.