From: utzoo!utcsrgv!donald Newsgroups: net.rec.photo Title: Re: reply on novice camera request Article-I.D.: utcsrgv.444 Posted: Wed Jun 30 13:08:46 1982 Received: Wed Jun 30 13:30:34 1982 References: rabbit.576 I would like to comment on Jon Shapiro's opinions on cameras for novices. First of all, I think that people beginning photography should completely ignore his article because it is grossly inaccurate and contains a lot of hearsay, most of which is also wrong. I don't mind a photographer having biases towards certain brands or types of equipment, but spreading inaccurate information is inexcusable. The claimed "high breakdown" rates of Konica cameras and "unreliable" Vivitar flashes is one example of hearsay which is totally unsubstantiated and vicious. I have used both types of equipment with satisfactory results. Granted Konicas are not built like Leicas, but they are certainly on a par with the Pentaxes that Jon thinks so much of. Vivitar flashes include some of the most technologically advanced and flexible flashes available and I know many a pro and amateur which use them and like them. Jon's comments on cameras were a mixture of half-truths and ignorance. The Nikons and Canons are NOT battery-dependent in general. Only the Nikon EM, Nikon FE, and Nikon F3 are battery-dependent. Every other Nikon, including the venerable F and F2 (the mainstay of most Pro photographers in the world) are completely workable without battery power (albeit sans metering). ALL incarnations of the Canon F-1 work without batteries, as do the old FT's, FTb's, and EF. The Canon AE series, and A-1, however, do depend on batteries. The Olympus OM-1 is not overpriced as Jon claims, it is a reasonably- priced, well-made, and reliable camera. It is also light and quiet (as SLR's go) and a pleasure to use if you lean towards austerity. Sorry about the length of this and the flames, but really, I'm not in league with the camera manufacturers, just a concerned photographer. Don Chan