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From: mccamy@topcat.DEC
Newsgroups: net.rec.photo
Subject: Buying a 35mm camera
Message-ID: <3773@decwrl.UUCP>
Date: Fri, 28-Sep-84 11:34:34 EDT
Article-I.D.: decwrl.3773
Posted: Fri Sep 28 11:34:34 1984
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From: "...decvax!decwrl!rhea!Topcat!McCamy"
Merrimack, New Hampshire

From:	ROLL::USENET       "USENET Newsgroup Distributor"   28-SEP-1984 01:19  
To:	TOPCAT::MCCAMY
Subj:	USENET net.rec.photo newsgroup articles

>I'm looking to buy a 35mm camera. Being low on funds (~$200),
>I'd like to get the most for the least.
>I would appreciate any suggestions on brands and models. In
>particular, I would like to keep in mind expansion, versatility, features.

There are a lot of good cameras on the market.  In fact any one of the well 
known imports will have excellent quality.  So don't worry about quality.

You should spend your time getting familiar with camera features.  The object 
is to get the features you want at the lowest price.  Also look at accessories
that are available for the camera.

Some questions you may want to be aware of include:

Am I a snapshot photographer or am I going to be doing more serious shooting.

     - In the $100 range are some good, simple 35mm cameras that allow you to 
       take 35mm pictures with the same simplicity as a Kodak instamatic.
       This kind of camera is not flexible enough for a more serious 
       photographer.

Questions for the more serious photographer:

Will I be happy with the match-needle metering system?
     - Cameras with this system run in the low $100 range.  They are somewhat 
       of a hassle to use, but they are less expensive.  They will provide a 
       lot of flexibilty.  They usually will be compatible with nearly all of 
       the camera accessories made by the manufacturer.

Will I be happy with a camera that has only a shutter-priority metering system, 
or has only an aperature-priority metering system?
     - These cameras start at about $150.  
     - Shutter-priority means this:  You set the shutter speed and then the 
       camera will automatically set the correct aperature.  This is nice for 
       the person who thinks in terms of shutter speeds instead of aperature
       settings (like me).  
     - Aperature-prority means this:  You set the aperature and then the camera
       automatically sets the shutter speed.  This is nice for the person who 
       thinks of "depth-of-field" rather than shutter-speed.
     - This is a personal choice.

Will I be happy with a camera that has the "program" feature?
     _ In addition to having either shutter-priority or aperature-priority
       metering systems, (some cameras have both!), these cameras also have
       a program mode.  In this mode the camera will pick both the shutter 
       speed and the aperature automatically.  This is real nice if you're
       shooting quickly and the lighting conditions are changing quickly.
       It's also nice if you feel lazy and don't want to hassle with camera
       settings.  The program mode does not assure perfect pictures every time.
       It has it's limitations, but as long as you are aware of this, you can
       overcome these limitations rather easily.
     _ You can put these cameras in complete manual mode so you have complete
       control over the aperature and shutter speed.
     - These cameras start at about $200.


Do I need a shutter speed faster than 1000/th of a second?
     - Most 35mm cameras have 1000/th of a second.
     - Some have up to a 4000/th of a second.  This is useful for the faster
       films coming out.  If you like shooting fast scenes (sporting events),
       you may want more than a 1000/th of a second.  I frankly believe a
       1000/th of a second will capture just about anything you want.

Other things you may or may not be interested in:
     - Depth-of-view preview.
     - Timer.
     - Easily changeable focusing plane (usually a feature on the more 
       expensive cameras).
     - Placement of control knobs, buttons, etc.  Are they conveniently 
       placed?
     - There are a number of different lens mounts.  The screw-in kind are
       a real hassle, the bayonet mount is the quickest & easiest.

I own a Canon AE-1 Program camera and I love it.  It has shutter-priority,
program mode, and manual mode.  It costs about $200.  Cheaper if you look 
around.  I would probably love any of the name brand program mode cameras, 
they're all very good.  As any pro will tell you, it's not the equipment you
use, but how you use it.  The more expensive cameras usually just make getting
there a little easier and more reliable.