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February
Newsletter |
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If you're in the market for a new 35mm SLR camera, choosing from the dozens of models ranging from under $200 to over $1,000 can be a daunting task. Here are some insights to help make the selection easier. |
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MANUAL FOCUS Near the low end of the price range are several traditional manual-focus cameras with manual film advance. These cameras are often preferred by students and teachers, since they are a great way to learn about photography and all the controls that are used to create great pictures. The Vivitar V4000s and V3800 and the Nikon FM10 have manual exposure only; the Minolta X-370N/X-370S and Phoenix P2 have aperture-priority auto exposure and manual exposure. In addition to manual exposure, the Pentax ZX-M also offers numerous auto exposure modes and auto film load, advance and rewind AUTO FOCUS There is more competition among the camera makers in this category, with new models appearing more frequently and new or improved features being promoted. All AF SLR cameras have built-in auto film wind systems, a built-in flash with a separate shoe for mounting an external flash and have various auto-exposure modes. An auto focus SLR is as easy to use as point & shoot cameras but offers through-the-lens viewing and many modes and overrides for greater creative control.. ENTRY-LEVEL AF SLR cameras typically have a top shutter speed of 1/2000th sec., a single metering pattern, film advance up to 1.5 frames per second. Some of the most popular models in this category are the Canon EOS Rebel 2000, Minolta Maxxum STsi, Nikon N65 and Pentax ZX-30. They are economical to buy and have plenty of easy-to-use features. |
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| INTERMEDIATE cameras have all of the features of the entry-level models plus more creative options. A camera in this category will usually have a top shutter speed of 1/4000th or 1/8000th, which provides greater action-stopping ability. The higher speed also helps prevent overexposure if high-speed film is shot under bright lighting conditions. Also, the maximum speed that will synchronize with flash is usually faster. More advanced cameras usually offer metering pattern choices. For example, spot metering can be selected to isolate a subject from a very dark or very light background. The film transport is faster, with the capability to shoot at speeds of 3 or 4 frames per second. Some of the entry-level cameras have plastic lens mounts that are adequate for most uses, but an advanced camera has a metal mount to withstand more frequent lens changes, particularly with larger, heavier lenses. Advanced models are more likely to have other features such as depth of field preview, a PC flash cord terminal, multiple exposure capability, terminal for a remote control cable, rear curtain flash sync for better blending of flash and ambient light and custom functions for tailoring the camera's operation. Canon EOS-3, Elan 7, Minolta Maxxum 5 and 7, Nikon N80 and Pentax ZX-7 are models that fit into this intermediate category. | ||||||||||||