What
camera to buy
by J. Ramón Palacios
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a friend about this article
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35mm
Point and Shoot The
Compact or Point and Shoot cameras have the advantage
of using the 35mm film negative in full. They are convenient to
carry, light and the next best possible alternative to the disappointing
APS.
Nikon
has a long compact or Point & Shoot camera tradition. As early
as 1983, Nikon introduced the L35 Auto Focus. After several models,
always upgrading, the first zoom compact came to be in the Nikon
TWZoom in 1988. They looked 'toyish' when compared even to small
SLRs of the time, but they produced very good pictures, suitable
for big enlargements. And so, names like "Fun Touch", "Lite Touch",
"Nice Touch" and "One Touch" became synonymous of quality pictures,
with little effort and at very reasonable prices for the casual
weekender or occasional shooter.
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Nikon
L35 AF compact point & shoot camera introduced in 1983.
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Nikon
Lite Touch 110 |
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Nikon
Fun Touch 6 |
The
Nikon Lite Touch Zoom 110 is a high-tech compact camera
that both offers point-and-shoot simplicity and
lets you apply creative techniques to your photography.
It has a sophisticated 38-110mm f/4-10.8 power zoom. Advanced
features include Auto Load, Auto Advance, Auto Rewind,
Focus Lock, Auto Flash, Anytime Flash, Flash Cancel, Red
Eye Reduction and a 10 seconds self-timer. The even newer
Lite Touch Zoom 110s also has Slow Sync Flash to brighten
both the subject and the background in night scenes. Not
bad at all for family occasions.
Another model in this range is the Nikon Lite Touch Zoom
70W.
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The
Fun Touch 6 offers simplified operations together with
auto focus, easy film loading/rewinding, and a built-in
flash. Enjoy the freedom to take the shots you want, when
you want them. For those not wishing the zoom capability,
the Fun Touch 6 offers an all around 28mm f/5.6 lens,
good for landscapes and group photography with many features
like Auto Flash, Fill Flash, Flash Off and Red-Eye Reduction.
And all for less than US$50, brand new!
Another worthy model is the One
Touch Zoom 90s QD, with a 38-90mm zoom lens. |
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Nikon
Lite Touch 120ED/QD AF |
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Olympus
LT Zoom 105 DLX |
This
is a very nice compact camera with an important distinction:
it has an ED (Extra Low Light Dispersion) glass lens for
superior images, with an extended zoom range from 38mm
to 120mm and Macro/close-up down to 2.4 ft. Plus all of
the 110s advanced features. Newer models are now available
for closer reach: the Lite Touch Zoom 130 ED/QD with a
38-130mm lens, the Lite Touch Zoom 140 ED/QD with a 38-140mm
and the Lite Touch 150 ED/QD with a 38-150mm lens. |
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I
would fail not mentioning the superb Olympus LT Zoom
105 DLX camera with it's variable power flash, leather-like
antique look case and metal lens cover. A 38-105mm f4.5-8.9
auto focus zoom lens and built-in spot metering.
The Olympus Epic line is also very convenient and sturdy,
however, if not the LT 105 DLX, go for a Nikon, its
flash technology is tops.
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35mm
Point and Shoot Recommendation:
- I
don't mind repeating myself: Stay clear of APS, it is
not 35mm!.
- If
you are casual photographer, get a compact
35mm Point & Shoot
like the ones shown above or similar. A zoom one will
adapt to more situations. Just remember to load it with
ISO 200 or ISO 400 film to compensate for the aperture
of the lenses on these cameras.
- If
you want to get serious about it, buy a 35mm
Single Lens Reflex, the flexibility it gives you
and the wide array of lens choices are tough to beat.
- If
you have the budget and savor exquisite pieces of machinery
and optics, and don't need long zoom lenses, get a 35mm
rangefinder camera, although you will encounter
a limited set of (superb and expensive) lens choices
and no zoom lenses as of yet (with the notable exceptions
of the Vario Sonnar for the Contax G2 and the Tri Elmar
M for the Leica). Least WYSIWYG, but you may even learn
to shoot from the hip. In terms of status, yes there
are models that will enhance it.
- Now,
if you want superior negative's quality at all times,
or are considering becoming a pro and/or have no serious
budget constraints, go for the ...... Medium
Format
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