Pentax SF7 (1988)

Pentax SF7 (1988)

#424

This photo is from the copy I own

History and technical features 

The Pentax SF7 was a camera from the Japanese Pentax brand, manufactured by the Asahi Optical Co., Ltd. (called PENTAX Corporation since 2002). It is also known as the Pentax SF10 in the United States, and was first produced in 1988. It was Pentax's third Autofocus 35mm SLR after the Pentax ME F and the very similar Pentax SFX.

Source: wikipedia.org

This Pentax SLR comes from the SF range of cameras which Pentax introduced before the Z and MZ range, and were the first set of autofocus SLR cameras the company made. This model, the Pentax SF10 was also known as the SF7 and is similar in styling to the SFXn camera which I own, but is a rather simpler and more basic model than that. It was manufactured in about 1988.

This is a sturdy and heavy camera, similar in weight and very slightly bigger than my digital  Pentax K5 DSLR. Although heavy cameras are not a lot of fun to carry about, it is a good camera to get a hold of. The hand grip is quite deep and has a contoured feel which fits in the hand quite nicely. The shutter button falls nicely in place when the camera is in the hand, and it’s easy enough to alter shutter settings with the rocker switch placed behind the shutter button.

Changing modes however is a different matter. This camera was made at a time when electronics were being introduced into camera manufacture, and lots of cameras at this time had button press rather than rotary knobs to change settings and I find they are not as easy or quick. On this camera the one saving grace is the way the camera modes are displayed; Instead of a small A, P, S etc displayed in a small LCD screen, the SF series had large LCD panels mounted on the top of the SLR prism. On the Pentax SF10, this LCD has a display which incorporated an outline shape of the camera which changes to show graphically the modes, and configuration changes.

The control buttons on the top panel of the camera are the mode button discussed above, a button to control the different drive modes, a rocker switch positioned behind the shutter release and the On/Off switch which has an optional ‘beep’ setting for audible feedback. On the back of the camera just behind the hot shoe is an exposure lock button and on the side of the lens mount is the Auto focus/Manual focus switch with an electronic cable release socket above.

The lens mount fitted to the SF10 is a full KAF mount, which means this camera can use any pentax lens made up to the point the camera was made. It obviously wouldn’t be able to focus a modern ultrasonic motor lens, but any screw thread focused lens or manual K mount lens should be fine.

This camera offers all the normal exposure modes most photographers need and regularly use, but doesn’t feature the ‘scene’ modes which are popular these days. This, of course is because it was made earlier than that sort of feature was introduced.

The exposure modes are selected with a combination of the mode button, the rocker switch and the aperture ring on the lens. If the lens aperture ring is set to ‘A’ the mode button and rocker switch will toggle between ‘PROG’ (program or fully automatic mode) and Shutter priority. These modes are shown on the top panel LCD as a series of updates to the picture of the camera – some examples can be seen in the pictures above.

Once the aperture ring is moved off the ‘A’ setting, the mode button and the rocker switch will toggle between AUTO (aperture priority), fully manual mode and bulb.

There is no option to provide any exposure compensation on this camera and since it’s also not possible to override the DX coding of the film speed that includes the trick of changing the film speed. There is an exposure memory lock button however which can be used to meter a particular portion of a scene and then lock the exposure to that reading.

The metering in the camera is a 2 segment averaged reading with autofocus lenses which changes to centre weighted with manual focus lenses.

As I said in the opening paragraph, this is one of the first autofocus cameras which Pentax made and employs a motor in the body of the camera which drives the focus ring via a screw thread coupling. This system has been maintained by Pentax up to the present day and my Pentax K5 can focus the lens fitted to the SF10 in exactly the same way (considerably faster of course and in lower light).

The autofocus performance of the Pentax SF10 is reasonable for the age of the camera. It wouldn’t win any speed battles today, but considering this is a 1st generation autofocus camera it’s reasonably fast in good light as long as the target area has some contrasting patterns. When the light level drops it does a bit of hunting about to find the correct position, but most of the time it will eventually get there. It’s not a quick or accurate as my SFXn, but then it was at the cheaper end of the SF series and the SFXn was at the top end. It is quite noisy during focusing – not just noise from the lens moving but from the focus motor itself which has a high pitched whine. It reminds me of the Minolta 7000 which was also a 1st generation autofocus camera.

In common with all the early autofocus cameras I own there is only one focus sensor fitted in the centre of the viewfinder. That may be considered a disadvantage but in my experience I find one to be fine. I normally use the single central focus point anyway and use the ‘focus and re-compose’ option if I need to focus on something non central. Obviously modern cameras have many focus points in order to do focus tracking, but a camera of this age simply doesn’t have the speed to do that anyway.

For situations where there really isn’t enough light to successfully achieve focus lock there is a small lamp built into the flash housing which is used to strobe the scene and get the lens to lock. I found on my copy of the camera this was not very successful, but again the light wasn’t very bright so it may be just age which has caused it to dim. The camera won’t pop the flash up to use this light by itself, it needs to be raised by the photographer. Looking at the button which raises the flash I would guess it’s a mechanical rather than electrical switch so the camera couldn’t raise it anyway.

When focus is achieved there is a large indicator in the viewfinder which lights and an optional beep can sound as well, both of these also work when the camera is in manual focus mode either by switching the AF/MF switch or by fitting a manual focus lens. Although I like split image focusing screens for manual focus, the focus indicator is actually quite a useful device with manual lenses.

There is one other point I’d like to make about the autofocus on this camera. I have two Sigma autofocus lenses which this camera won’t focus. They are both screw driven autofocus lenses which work without problem on my K5 and any of my MZ series cameras but the screw drive doesn’t turn when they are fitted to the SF10. I checked that the screw drive is engaging with the camera body and it is because turning the focus ring in autofocus mode results in the focus motor in the body turning (I wouldn’t recommend doing this by the way). I wondered if it was something a bit odd with this particular camera so I tried them both on my SFXn and found exactly the same thing. Just for information the two lenses are a Sigma Zoom 28-80mm f/3.5-5.6 and a Sigma Zoom 24-70mm f/3.5-5.6 UC.

The Pentax SF10 is equipped with a pentaprism viewfinder rather than the pentamirror finder used in the lower end MZ series cameras. This is welcome because it leads to a much brighter view, especially when used with a fast lens. Other than being a prism finder, the viewfinder is somewhat disappointing because there is no Depth of field preview available and also no diopter adjustment.

In terms of exposure and focus information visible in the viewfinder the shutter speeds are visible on the right hand side of the viewfinder and the letter ‘A’, ‘M’ or ‘P’ above to indicate the exposure mode. As mentioned above there is a focus indicator to show when focus is achieved and right at the bottom of the shutter speeds the letters LT indicate when a shutter speed longer than 1/30sec has been selected. All the shutter speeds below 1/60sec are in yellow indicating a tripod should be used – the rest are in green although the 1/2000sec speed will flash if the exposure is over exposed when 1/2000 is selected.

The drive modes are set using the drive mode button and the rocker switch. The camera has a fairly simple selection of single shot, continuous shot and self timer mode. The self timer is electronic with an LED on the front of the hand grip illuminated when the timer is running and the beep option counting the timer down. When the last couple of seconds are reached the LED flashes in unison with the beep for a couple of seconds and then the shutter fires.

This was an entry level camera when the SF series was introduced by Pentax and as such it is missing some of the top end functions the SFXn camera had. However most of the functions most photographers would use are here with the exception of exposure compensation. Even that could be worked around by using the Exposure Lock button so it’s more an inconvenience rather than a deal breaker.

Many people may say the camera is too big and heavy and you certainly know you are carrying it around but it is pretty well balanced and comfortable to use.

Source: simonhawketts.co.uk

Specifications

Year introduced: 1988
Mount: KAF
Meter range: 1 - 19 EV
Meter pattern: c
ISO range: DX only
DX ISO range: 25 - 5000
Exposure modes: P, Av, Tv, M, B
Exposure compensation: No
Exposure memory lock: Yes
Shutter speeds (auto): 30 - 1/2000s
Shutter speeds (manual): 1 - 1/2000s
Shutter speeds (mechanical): None
Self timer: Yes
Mirror lock-up: No
Auto bracketing: No
Multiple exposures: No
Winder: Built 2 fps
Built-in flash: Yes, GN 12
TTL flash: Yes
P-TTL flash: No
Sync speed: 1/100s
Flash exposure comp: No
Autofocus: Yes (1 point)
Autofocus sensitivity: 2 - 18 EV
Power zoom: No
Viewfinder: 0.81x, 92%
Viewfinder type: Pentaprism
Diopter correction: No
Exchangeable screen: No
Depth of field preview: No
Image size: 24 x 36 mm
Panorama format: No
Battery: 2CR5
Battery grip/pack: No
Size (W x H x D): 157 x 99 x 63.5 mm
Weight: 630 g
Comment: Special accessory: Interval data back

Source: pentaxforums.com


Pentax SF10 35mm Autofocus SLR (also known as SF7)
1st Generation autofocus camera
Aperture priority, Shutter Priority, Program Mode & full Manual Mode
2 segment averaged metering with F series lenses, centre weighted with others
KAF mount accepts all K mount lenses
Solid, well built construction
Single autofocus sensor centrally mounted.
Pentaprism viewfinder
Integrated RTF flash with autofocus assist light
Shutter speed 30sec to 1/2000sec + Bulb
Self timer with electronic countdown and visual indication
Single shot and multiple shot mode
Optional beep function for focus lock
Focus confirmation light in the viewfinder
Integrated off centre hot shoe
Exposure lock
DX coded film chamber
Electronic cable release socket
Powered by 2CR5 battery in grip

Source: simonhawketts.co.uk


Model

Serial number 5236556


Reference sites

pentaxforums.com

simonhawketts.co.uk

wikipedia.org


Manual

English manual


Batteries

2CR5 battery

Film


Pictures taken with this machine


Videos

Canon EOS 500N (1996-1999)

Canon EOS 500N (1996-1999)

#418

This photo is from the copy I own

History and technical features 

The Canon EOS 500N is also known as the EOS Rebel G in the Americas or the New EOS Kiss in Japan. Sometimes it's referred to as the EOS Kiss 2 as it followed the release of the EOS Kiss in Japan. This camera was released in 1996 and replaced the EOS 500. The Japanese version of the camera had the date back as standard. Its successor was the EOS-300 / REBEL2000 / Kiss III, released in 1999.

There are not too many changes in this model compared to the original. A few new features include compatibility with ETTL type flash. It still has the same 1/90 of a sec sync speed of the previous model, but when equipped with a Canon Speedlight such as the 380EX, 220EX it can be used at 1/2000 of a sec. Focus has improved a bit as as a AF assist light is now available. Auto Exposure Bracketing (AEB) can be use from -2 to ++2 in 1/2 stop increments. The command dial now has a easier to access night scene mode. The body is able to use the BP-8 vertical grip that can also accept four AA batteries.

Source: camera-wiki.org

The Canon EOS Rebel G is a perfectly competent, all-plastic 35mm SLR film camera that works with all Canon autofocus (EOS) lenses. It's a plastic camera with a plastic lens mount and a mirror prism, so it weighs nothing!

The Rebel G works great with IS lenses, and everything except Canon's EF-S lenses for small-format digital cameras (or the ancient FD lenses for manual focus cameras that went obsolete in 1986).

It first winds the film to the end, and then shoots the frames in reverse order. Its frame counter always shows you the frames remaining as it counts backwards.

All the hot lenses you buy for your 1D X and 5D Mark III, like the 14mm II, fisheyes and super-teles, all are 100% compatible — and you can buy a Rebel G body for one-half of one percent of the cost of a 1DS Mk III body.

The Rebel G was an inexpensive film camera. Its advantage is that it weighs nothing and works great. It shoots in all exposure modes and has a modern evaluative metering system.

Pop on a pro lens like the 16-35mm f/2.8 L II, and the package is still light enough to throw around your neck all day.

The Rebel G feels like a toy, but it's beauty is that it doesn't weigh anything. It's an easy camera to knock around all day, and brings back great results, even on Fuji Velvia 50 slide film.

The only gotha is that the finder is a super-light penta-mirror type, so the finder isn't quite as big, sharp or as contrasty as a pro film camera. If I shot this camera all day, every day I'd want a better finder for my convenience, but as a knock around camera, it's great.

This EOS Rebel G replaced the EOS Rebel XS (EOS 500 or EOS Kiss) which was introduced in September 1993. The 1993 EOS Rebel XS should not be confused with the Digital Rebel XS that was introduced in August 2008.

The EOS Rebel 2000 (EOS 300 or EOS Kiss III) replaced this EOS Rebel G in April, 1999.

Source: kenrockwell.com


Specifications

Name
Americas: EOS Rebel G
Japan: New EOS Kiss.
Rest of world: EOS 500N.

AF Sensors
3.

AF Assist light
Yes.

Finder
Mirror-prism.
0.7x magnification with 50mm lens.
90% coverage.
18.5mm eye relief.

Meter
Evaluative.
Averaging and PArtial available in other modes.
Rated LV 2-20 with f/1.4 lens.

ISO Range
ISO 25-5,000 (DX).
ISO 6-6,400 manually.

Shutter
1/2,000 - 30 seconds and Bulb in half-stops.
Fastest Shutter Speed with Flash (sync)
1/90.
(there is a trick FP mode with some flashes.)

Frame Rate
1 FPS.

Built-in Flash
Guide Number 39/12 (feet/meters at ISO 100).
Covers 28mm lens.

Cable Release Socket
NO.
You have to buy an expensive RS-60E3 cord.

Date Imprint
Available if you paid extra for the Quartz Date version.

Power
Two CR123A (DL123A) batteries.
Rated 85 24-exposure rolls without flash, 35 rolls with 50% flash, and 17 rolls with 100% flash, all at 68ºF (20ºC).
The date back, if you get it, uses a CR2025.

Colors
Pro black or gag-me silver paint.

Size
5.7 x 3.6 x 2.4" (145.7 x 92 x 61.9mm), WHD.

Weight
14.1 oz (400g) with batteries.
13.05 oz. (370g), naked and stripped of batteries.

Price
59,000 Yen (body only) at introduction in 1996.

Introduced
September 1996.

Replaced
By the Rebel 2000 in 1999.

Accessories:
GR-80TP Grip, which unfolds as a mini tripod.
EP-EX15 eyepiece extender makes the eyepiece poke out further and adds 15mm to the eye relief, but reduces the size of the finder image to 0.5x.
E Diopters.
RS-60E3 dedicated cable release.
BP-8 External AA Battery Pack.
EX Series flashes (speedlites).
EH8-L (Rebel G and small lens) and EH-8LL (with longer lens) never-ready cases.
Source: kenrockwell.com

Model

Serial number 1615580


Reference sites

camera-wiki.org

kenrockwell.com


Manual

English manual


Batteries

2 CR123A battery

Film

Fujicolor C200/36

Pictures taken with this machine

Canon EOS 500N sample 1

Canon EOS 500N sample 2

Canon EOS 500N sample 3

Videos

Minolta Dynax 505si Super (1988)

Minolta Dynax 505si Super (1988)

#407

This photo is from the copy I own

History and technical features 

The Minolta Dynax 505si Super was a light autofocus SLR camera for 35mm film made by Minolta. It was the same camera body as the Minolta Maxxum XTsi for the American and the Minolta Alpha Sweet for the Japanese market. Its distinguishing features were the "cust" functions, 9 programs for different exposure preferences, and the eye start function (autofocus starts working when the viewfinder is moved towards the eye). Unloading and reloading a film was no problem with this camera. A special version of it was the Dynax 505si Super QD DATE panorama which was switchable to a second exposure format, a panorama format. The camera was made in Malaysia.

Source: camerapedia

Specifications

Type: autofocus SLR camera body
Year of release: 1998
Manufacturer: Minolta
ASA/ISO range: 25 to 5000 ASA DX-coded (6 to 6400 manually)
Film Format: 35mm
Modes: programmed modes for sports, landscape, portrait, macro and night, fully automatic mode, shutter preferred mode, aperture preferred mode
Exposure Metering: 14 field TTL measuring, spontaneously switchable to spot metering via central field
Focusing: 2 vertical AF-sensors and a central cross-sensor controlled by fuzzy logic system, switchable to manual focusing or single sensor usage. A focusing priority mode allows shutter release only after correct focusing
Shutter speed range: electronically controlled, 30 sec to 1/4000 sec
Viewfinder: pentaprism showing 90% of image
Lens Mount: Minolta A-Lenses bayonet
Flash: guide number 12, selectable as autofocus support light
Weight: 350 g without Lens + Film + Cr2-Batteries
Dimensions: 135 x 90 x 58,5 mm

Source: camerapedia


Model

Serial number 99801925


Reference sites

camerapedia

mhohner.de


Manual

English manual


Batteries

2 CR2 batteries

Film


Pictures taken with this machine


Videos

Minolta Dynax 404si (1999)

Minolta Dynax 404si (1999)

#367

This photo is from the copy I own

History and technical features 

he Dynax 404si is an entry level autofocus 35mm film SLR camera using the Minolta AF mount, manufactured by Minolta and release in 1999. In the Americas it was known as Maxxum STsi and in Japan it was called α Sweet S (Alpha Sweet S).

The electronic controlled shutter is vertical travelling with speeds from 20s to 1/2000 sec, plus bulb and a flash sync of 1/90 of a sec. The metering is a TTL based system using a 8 segment silicon photo cell. It has a sensitivity of 1 to 20 EV and in spot mode 4 to 20 EV (ISO 100, 50mm f/1,4. Metering is based on using DX encoded film, which can also be manually set from 6 to 6400 ISO in 1/3 inc. The exposure modes include, program, aperture priority, shutter priority, manual exposure along with settings for portrait, landscape, close-up, sport, night. The film transport has a motorized drive with film automatically advancing after exposure. Drive modes includes single frame, continuous for up to 1 fps, self-timer and multiple exposure. The built-in flash has a GN of 12. The camera is powered by two CR2 batteries.

Source: camera-wiki.org


Specifications

General
Name Minolta Dynax 404si , α-Sweet S (Japan), Maxxum STsi (USA)
Mount type A-mount
Supported lenses classic, xi
Release year 1999
Status discontinued

Auto-focus
AF sensors 1 line
AF range [EV] −1 – 18
AF modes AF-A, AF-S, AF-C
AF assist light no

Features
Eye-start no
Custom functions 2
Other features –

Metering
Metering modes 8 segments, spot
Metering range [EV] (with spot) 1 – 20 (4 – 20)
Auto Exposure Lock button yes
Exposure modes P, A, S, M
Subject programs portrait, landscape, closeup, sport, night portrait
Exposure compensation [stops] (steps [stops]) ± 3 (1/2)

Flash
Flash shoe type iISO
Accessory shoe cap SC-1000
Flash modes normal, red-eye reduction, slow sync
Flash metering CW-TTL
Requires D flash unit no
Flash guide number [m]/ coverage [mm] 12/28
X-Sync speed [s] 1/90
High Speed Sync no
Wireless flash yes
Wireless x-sync speed [s] 1/45
Wireless HSS no
Ratio flash control yes
Flash exposure compensation [stops] (steps [stops]) –
Studio flash socket no
Compatible with DR-1000 no

Viewfinder
Viewfinder type pentamirror
Viewfinder coverage 90%
Viewfinder magnification 0.75×
Eye relief [mm]/ from frame [mm] unknown
Screens G (default)
Diopter adjustment [diopters] -1
Eyepiece cup fixed
Viewfinder accessory compatible no

Shooting
Frame rate [fps] 1
Frame rate with AF [fps] unknown
Shutter speed (still) [s] 30 – 1/2000, B
Timer for Bulb exposures no
Self-timer [s] 10
Bracketing frames (stops) 3 (1/2)
Multiple exposures unlimited
Remote release socket Minolta/Sony 3-pin
Wireless remote release –
Release priority no
Depth of field preview no
Aperture can be changed during depth of field preview no
Silent depth of field preview no

Film features
Leader out no
ISO override yes
IR safe no

Power
Batteries 2× CR2
Battery pack BP-100 (4× AA)
Vertical grip –
External power supply –

Construction and accessories
Weather sealing no
Mount material polycarbonate
Weight [g] 350
Standard accessories strap, body cap, batteries
Data saver –
Date back QD model

Source: mhohner.de


Model

Serial number 00109483


Reference sites

camera-wiki.org

mhohner.de


Manual

English Manual


Batteries

2 AAA batteries

Film


Pictures taken with this machine


Videos

Nikon F55 (2002)

Nikon F55 (2002)

#274

Esta fotografia é do exemplar que possuo

Câmara oferecida pela D. Isabel Alber. Muito obrigado!


Características

The F55 (or N55 as it is known in the U.S.) is a 35mm film SLR autofocus camera introduced by Nikon in 2002. It was targeted at a new and lower price-point than the F65 (previously Nikon's cheapest autofocus SLR). The F65 continued to be sold alongside the F55. The camera is made in Thailand.

It is unique among recent Nikon autofocus SLRs in that it does not support autofocus on Nikon lenses with "AF-S" silent wave motor focussing, or the "VR" optical stabilisation features found on some lenses.

It features several different operating modes, including seven program modes that are subject specific, Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority, and Manual.

Included with the F55D variant is a date/time-imprinting facility, ("Data imprinting,") but at the cost of a slightly larger camera body.

Fonte: Wikipedia


Easy operation with exposure mode select dial and Command Dial with large top deck LCD panel
[AUTO] mode for fully automatic control
Three-Area Autofocus system
Choice of Dynamic AF and Closest-subject-priority Dynamic AF
Focus Tracking with Lock-On™
Built-in AF-Assist Illuminator
3D Matrix Metering (with D-/G-type Nikkor lens)
Center Partial Metering (in [M] mode)
Five Vari-Program modes
Four exposure modes ([P], [S], [A], [M])
Built-in auto pop-up Speedlight: guide number 12/39 (ISO 100, m/ft.); 28mm lens coverage
Matrix Balanced Fill-Flash capability
F55D features data imprinting

Fonte: imaging.nikon.com


August 2007: I bought one of these for my mom, and it's everything I thought it would be. It's super lightweight, far less than you'd imagine, and works fast and great. For $200 including lens brand new, it's the film camera bargain of the digital age. It sells for much less used - I paid about $140.

If you want digital, it's easy! I buy print film at Costco for $1 a roll (Fuji 400 with a coupon) and have it developed with 5x7" prints and the images burns as JPGs on a CD for about $9 a roll. You can shoot this way for years, not pay as much as you would for a digital camera, and have the files on gold archival CD, prints, negatives, and presuming you copy the files to your computer, your computer, too!

September 2005: Nikon discovers a flaw where the autofocus system may stop working. They'll fix this for free.

January 2002: Nikon first announced the N55. It's called the N55 in the USA and the F55 elsewhere.They are the same camera. I've seen and played with it but not shot with it. People ask, so here are my impressions.

This is easy to write. This is a simple camera ideal for people who want great photos with a simple, lightweight camera. Yes, it should take photos just as good as any $1,000 camera, and as of December 2004 it sold for only $169, complete with a lens!

Not only that, but this film camera can give better color, wider dynamic range in highlights and sharper enlargements than my $4,000 digital Nikon D1H.

PERFORMANCE

It has all the features important to making great images, and skips few of the advanced features few people know how to use anyway. Unlike 20 - 40 years ago when cameras were mechanical and it was very expensive to incorporate any feature, with modern electronics it costs nothing to add or retain features.

Therefore, the important features like Matrix Metering, vari-program and exposure compensation are in this camera. I prefer the Nikon matrix meter above all others, so images made in the full auto mode of the $169 N55 ought to be better than those made with expensive Canon cameras like the EOS-1V ($1,500) and it's inferior metering system that requires constant manual compensation.

The images should be IDENTICAL to those produced with the $2,300 F6 and better than those from Canon. Of course the AF will be slower than the F6 if you are shooting sports.

The niceties you give up by saving over two thousand dollars and a few pounds of weight are minor: the viewfinder is tiny, it only has 3 AF sensors and trying to track fast action may not work too well (for this you'd want a lens that costs more than this camera anyway), no depth-of-field preview (again, almost no one even knows what this does), no manual ISO setting (not needed anyway), no rear sync (too bad, but almost no one knows how to use this anyway and you do have the very important SLOW sync most people don't know how to use but should.)

The biggest things it skips are that it does not work with AFS lenses unless you focus them manually, and the N55 does not provide TTL flash metering with external flash units. It does have full TTL control for the built-in flash. The N55 also has a plastic lens mount, not likely to be a problem for the people who will buy this camera. The plastic mount could be a problem if you had many lenses and you changed them all the time.

There's an odd yin/yang about the N55 and D40: the D40 only focuses AFS lenses, and the N55 only focuses the traditional AF lenses. Use the other kind of lens on either and you have to focus manually.

Even though all the features are inside, unlike fancier cameras you lose some of the ability to tweak these settings. For the people for whom this camera is intended that's good, but for advanced workers looking for a back up camera the N75 or N80 are better because they allow direct twiddling with the advanced adjustments, like AF dynamic modes, that confuse beginners.

The film winds in reverse, deliberate stupid-proofing in case you open the camera before the film rewinds, or if the camera breaks (you won't be stranded like you can with the $1,000 F100), or if your camera is opened by the Religious Police for moral violations in a public market in Yemen. Unfortunately the camera is ugly silver, and not professional black, so the Religious Police are more likely to spot you.

The N55 provides multiple exposures, a feature I never use and a feature that my $3,000 Mamiya 7 lacks. See, even the N55 has features no one needs.

The only issue in addition to shooting fast motion that might make you want a fancier camera is that flash sync is only 1/90. This is very limiting for use in daylight for the fill flash I find very important. On the other hand, external flashes DO NOT provide TTL exposure control. If you plan to use an external flash get the N65 instead.

The self-timer cancels itself after each shot, thank goodness.

What the N55 has that the N65 lacks:

Strap and battery included (check me on that)
Lighter weight

What the the N55 lacks that the N65 and other cameras have:

You have to focus manually with AFS lenses
No metal lens mount
No ability to use external flash in TTL mode (extremely important if you use a separate flash)
I see no cable release socket and am unsure if there is some sort of screwy remote control

SUMMARY

All in all, unless you really care about how many knobs your camera has, if you think you want this camera and just want great pictures without having to screw with anything, by all means go get one.

The very few limitations it has to an advanced photographer like myself are completely meaningless for the person for whom this camera is intended. Indeed, this camera will probably give most people BETTER photos than more exotic cameras simply because it is designed to make the best use of all the extremely advanced technology inside it AUTOMATICALLY and spares you from having too many meaningless buttons you can set the wrong way.

Go for the N65 instead for just a little bit more money if you intend to use an external flash or intend to use it with current and future AFS and AFI lenses.

Of course if you're an involved photographer you'll find this camera limiting since you won't be able to screw with the settings. You want an N80 or fancier.

Fonte: kenrockwell.com



Especificações

Exposure control
[AUTO] mode, Vari-Program modes (Portrait / Landscape / Close-Up / Sports Continuous / Night Portrait), Auto-Multi Program, Shutter-Priority Auto [S], Aperture-Priority Auto [A] and Manual [M] modes

Shutter speed
1/2,000 to 30 s; electromagnetically controlled Time setting

Exposure metering (works with AF and AI-P type Nikkor lenses only)
EV 1 to 20 at ISO 100 with f/1.4 lens

Power source
Two 3V CR2 lithium batteries

Dimensions (W x H x D)
Approx. 129 x 92 x 65mm (5.1 x 3.6 x 2.6 in.) (F55),
Approx. 129 x 92 x 67.5mm (5.1 x 3.6 x 2.7 in.) (F55D)

Weight (body only without batteries)
Approx. 350g (12.3 oz.) (F55),
Approx. 360g (12.7 oz.) (F55D)
Modelo

Fonte: imaging.nikon.com


Sítios de referência

imaging.nikon.com

kenrockwell.com

Wikipedia


Manual

Manual em inglês


Baterias

2 CR2 batteries

Filme


Fotografias tiradas com esta máquina


Vídeos

Minolta Dynax 5 (2001)

Minolta Dynax 5 (2001)

#270

Esta fotografia é do exemplar que possuo

Características

Name: Minolta Dynax 5 , α-5 (China), α-Sweet Ⅱ (Japan), Maxxum 5 (USA)

Fonte: mhohner.de


At the start of the millennium Minolta showed for the last time its pride about its autofocus system SLRs with the Alpha-mount. The pride of the company was perfectly represented by another superb camera model of that series, the Minolta Dynax 5. It is also know as Maxxum 5 in the Americas, α-Sweet II in Japan and α-5 in China. In the class of low-price amateur cameras it got best notes in tests and comparisons. It was a light fast camera which got all the features of the Minolta Dynax 600si, thus being a mighty tool for amateurs.

The electronically controlled vertically travelling focal-plane shutter has speeds of 30s to 1/4000 of a sec. plus a bulb mode. Flash sync is at 1/125 or slower. A self-timer mode is available with a delay of 10 seconds.

The exposure system is based in a TTL type system. This measuring element is a 14 segment honeycomb formatted silicon photo diode. It has a metering range of 1 to 20 EV, and in spot mode 4 to 20 EV (ISO 100, f/1.4). Exposure modes include PASM; Program mode, Aperture priority, Shutter priority, and Manual exposure. In Program mode there is also a PA and PS modes along with scene modes for portrait, landscape, close-up, sports and night portrait. A built-in auto pop-up flash is also in the top housing it has a GN of 12.

The automatic focusing system is based on a TTL type system with a range of -1 to 18 EV (ISO 100). Auto focus modes include single or continuous mode. An AF illuminator is activated for lower lighting conditions. A manual focus mode is also possible. When enabled the eye start feature uses sensors in the hand grip and viewfinder eyelet areas and allows the camera to automatically set exposure and focusing.

The camera is able to use DX encoded film with speeds from 25 to 5000 ISO, but can also be set manually and changed from 6 to 6400 ISO in 1/3 increments. Non-DX film will automatically use the previous film's ISO setting. The film transport is motorized and has two drive modes. Single or continuous advance for up to 3fps. Rewinding is automatic, but manual rewinding is also possible in mid-roll. The film back has a window to identify film emulsion type. The film counter is upwards counting on film advance and downward on rewind. The camera is powered by two CR2 battery.

Fonte: camera-wiki.org

The best SLR on the market?

I've never been a big believer in brand loyalty. In my time I've used cameras from Konica, Yashica, Pentax, Contax, Olympus, Fuji and Minolta. The only one which has never had so much as a hiccup and produces great exposures every time is my Minolta 600si. But when people ask me to recommend a good value SLR I always choose the Canon EOS 300, which I've never even used!

t's always been an easy recommendation. The EOS 300 does everything a more expensive camera would do but is cheap, small and light, and easy to use. You have access to the full range of Canon lenses, including Image Stabilisers and the like which aren't available for Minolta cameras.  The old Minolta 404si and 505si were clearly no match for the Canon.  Nikon and Pentax made equivalent models too, but there was no reason to recommend any of these over the excellent Canon.

But there's a new kid on the block, (first available in the UK only a few weeks ago) and now I have two stock recommendations. For people who want the beginnings of a camera system, and are likely to eventually buy some expensive lenses and other kit, I recommend the EOS 300. For people who just want the best camera for the money, I recommend the Dynax 5.

First impressions

It's small and silver. It's VERY small, in fact. And light. But it doesn't feel flimsy - it feels light and compact but sturdy. Nice to hold.

What doesn't it do?

With a camera like this, there's not much point explaining all the features and what it can do, suffice to say there's nothing missing. It has all the features of my 600si, including depth of field preview and there are some new ones like flash metering based on distance (when used with the special D series Minolta lenses). It even has a slightly faster motorwind than the 600si, at 3 frames per second. This is the main area where it beats the Canon EOS 300 which only winds the film at a weedy 1 frame per second.

Exposure

Minolta figured out how to do automatic exposure properly some time ago. I think ever since then the 14-segment honeycomb metering has been the same on all their cameras. It works very well indeed, and every shot on the roll of 36 slides I shot with the Dynax 5 was well exposed, despite the fact I was trying to fool it with difficult lighting situations. So even for slide film users, exposure compensation would only be needed in very unusual situations, and print film users can happily leave exposure to the camera and concentrate on composition instead!

Focusing

Most camera magazines seem to go to great lengths trying to discern the slight differences in focusing speed, accuracy etc between various autofocus cameras. I'm never terribly impressed and prefer to use manual focus. But the Dynax 5 definitely seemed faster to focus than my 600si. The Dynax 7, big brother to the 5, is supposed to be the fastest of all the autofocus cameras, but from my brief test of the 7 in Jessops I couldn't tell much difference between it and the 5 in terms of focussing speed.

Viewfinder

My Dynax 600si has a lovely bright, clear viewfinder. I was expecting the 5 to be a letdown in comparison, considering how small the camera is. I was pleasantly surprised - the viewfinder on the Dynax 5 is just as crisp and bright as on the 600si, with the same viewfinder information.

Whereas the 600si just used to focus on the centre of the frame, the 5, like the EOS300, has several focusing points. Unlike the EOS300, the 5 tells you which one it is focusing on - it lights up red in the viewfinder. This is neat, although I question the value of the various focus points, which seem to make autofocus even more of a hit-and-miss affair than it already is.

Custom features

This brings me to another neat feature of the Dynax 5 - everything can be customised. Don't like the bleep when the camera has focussed? Turn it off. Don't like the eye-start feature? Turn it off. Don't like the multiple focus points? You can set it always to focus on the centre. Just about every aspect of the camera can be customised, although you'll have to look in the manual to find out how to do it - there's no way you could guess what setting "Custom program 8 to setting 3" would do without the manual!

User friendliness

This camera is a bit like Windows 95 - there are always about 5 different ways of doing any particular thing. Whether you think this is user friendly or just added confusion is a matter of personal taste. The Dynax 5 certainly lacks the instant familiarity of the 600si and the Dynax 7 with their old-fashioned style dials. But at least it doesn't have a Gameboy welded onto the back of it like the Dynax 7 does! And there's a very handy "P" button which resets everything to default, but keeps your custom settings. It resets everything which might spoil your shot (like exposure compensation, or putting the camera into manual mode) but keeps your custom settings.

The bottom line

I enjoyed using the Dynax 5. It's smaller and lighter than the 600si but has an equally good viewfinder, equally good autoexposure, better autofocusing, faster motorwind and some new flash features. I don't regret buying my 600si about 5 years ago, and I'm sure anyone who buys a Dynax 5 today will feel the same way about it in 5 years time. It's getting harder to recommend the EOS300, but I'd still recommend it to anyone who wants to build a whole camera system and might want an image stabiliser lens, an underwater housing, a digital body, an APS body etc, all of which are available for the Canon system but not Minolta.

So to go back to my headline, how can I justify calling the Dynax 5 the "best SLR on the market?"

Well, look at the specifications below and see if there's anything that you want it to do which it doesn't do.  I suspect not.  Then bear in mind that it's about as small and light as 35mm SLRs get, look at the price, and see whether anything else beats it.  It might not be "better" than a Nikon F5, but for most people it is, because unless you're a professional photographer you don't want to have to worry about something as expensive or as heavy as an F5.

Fonte: virtualtraveller.org


Especificações

Camera Type: 35mm SLR with built-in flash, auto focus (AF), and autoexposure (AE)
Film Type: 35mm film
Lens Mount: Minolta A mount (metal mount)
Eye-start Automation: AF and AE automatically activated/deactivated by combination of eyepiece and grip sensors.
Eye-start Automation can be disabled.


Focus system:
AF sensor system: Minolta's TTL phase-detection system with CCD line sensors (7-point AF system with a center cross-hair sensor)
Sensitivity range: Ev -1 - 18 (at ISO 100)
AF illuminator: Built-in flash automatically activated to aid focusing in low light and low-contrast situation.
Range: approx. 1 - 5m (with 50mm lens)
Autofocus areas: Wide focus area
Any local focus area can be selected from the 7-point sensors.
Predictive Focus Control: Multi-dimensional Predictive Focus Control for moving subjects
Focus modes: Autofocus, Manual focus
Manual focus: Visually monitoring the viewfinder focusing screen or the focus signals on the viewfinder data panel
Exposure system:
Metering: Ambient: 14-segment Honeycomb-Pattern, Spot
Flash metering: Direct TTL OTF (ADI or TTL multi-segment can be selected with a custom function.)
Metering cell: 14-segment Honeycomb-Pattern SPC (silicone photocell), 4-segment flash-metering SPC
Metering range: 14-segment Honeycomb-Pattern: Ev 1-20
Spot: Ev 4-20
(ISO 100, f/1.4 lens)
Exposure modes: Programmed AE (with PA/PS Creative Program Control), Aperture priority, Shutter priority, Manual
Subject program selection: 5 user-selectable programs tailored to specific subject or scene characteristics - Portrait, Landscape, Close-up, Sports action, Night portrait
Shutter and aperture control: In 0.5 Ev increments
Exposure compensation: ±3 Ev in 0.5 Ev increments

Exposure bracketing: 3 exposures in 0.3, 0.5, 0.7 or 1 Ev increments
ISO setting: Automatic setting for DX-coded film
Manual setting
Non DX coded film is set to the previous ISO setting.

ISO range: Automatic setting: ISO 25 - 5000 in 1/3 Ev increments
Manual setting: ISO 6 - 6400 in 1/3 Ev increments
With flash: ISO 25 - 1000

AE lock: Exposure is automatically locked when focus is locked.
Exposure within the spot metering area is locked with the spot AE-lock button.

Shutter:
Type: Electronically-controlled, vertical-traverse, focal-plane type
Speed: 1/4000 - 30 s, Bulb (up to approx. 7 h with fresh batteries)
Flash-sync speed: 1/125 s or slower
With shutter speeds faster than 1/125s, camera automatically switches to high-speed sync (HSS)*.
* available with Program Flash 5400HS, 5600HS(D), and 3600HS(D)
Flash:
Type: Built-in
Guide number: 12 (in meters at ISO 100)
Coverage: 28mm
Flash modes: - In programmed AE and subject program selection modes: autoflash. Fill flash and flash cancel can be selected.
- In aperture priority, shutter priority, and manual modes: fill flash is manually selected.
- Red-eye reduction (using pre-flash)
- Wireless/remote off-camera flash (including ratio flash function)
Viewfinder:
Type: Eye-level fixed pentaprism
Focusing screen: Spherical acute matte
Field of view: 90 x 90% of film frame (with 50mm lens focused at infinity)
Magnification: 0.75X (with 50mm lens focused at infinity)
Eye-relief: 16mm from the eyepiece, 13mm from the eyepiece frame
Diopter: -1 diopter
Eyepiece cup: Removable
Depth-of-field preview: Control placed on the front of the camera
Film transport:
Type: Automatic with built-in motor drive
Auto threading, Auto advance to first frame, Auto rewind, Manual start of rewind

Film advance: Single frame advance, Continuous advance
Continuous advance speed: 3 fps (max.)
Rewind time: Approx. 8 s (with 24-exposure film)
Film Chamber Lock: Automatically locks the back cover when the film is loaded
Self-timer: Electronic with 10-second delay
Self-timer can be canceled.

Remote control*: IR Remote Control RC-3 (sold separately)
* IR remote control capable model only
Audio signal: Tone indicates focus lock, IR remote-control operation, and self-timer countdown.
Audio signal can be disabled.
Other functions: Remote-control terminal
14 custom functions
Multiple-exposure mode
Power: Two 3-volt CR2 lithium batteries
Battery-condition indication: 3-stage indicator appears when the camera is turned on.

Dimensions: 127(W) x 87(H) x 60.5(D) mm
Weight: 335g (without batteries)

Fonte: virtualtraveller.org


Modelo

A minha tem o n.º de série 00114345


Sítios de referência

camera-wiki.org

mhohner.de

virtualtraveller.org


Manual


Baterias

2 CR2 batteries

Filme

Kodak Gold 200/36

Fotografias tiradas com esta máquina

Minolta Dynax 5 sample 1

Minolta Dynax 5 sample 2

Minolta Dynax 5 sample 3

Vídeos

Pentax SFXn (1989)

Pentax SFXn (1989)

#232

Esta fotografia é do exemplar que possuo

Características

The camera is of fairly solid construction and quite weighty, although quite well balanced when fitted with the Sigma lens I have on it. Most of the camera setting are made with small rocker switches on the camera top plate and another rocker fitter just behind the shutter button which can be moved with the eye to the eyepiece. There is a built in flash, fitted in the usual place above the prism and a flash hot shoe which is unusual because it’s fitted to the right of the camera top plate. The film compartment is DX coded, although the camera can also have it’s ISO set when non-dx coded film is fitted.

When I received the camera there had been a spill of something like orange juice over the top of the camera so the rocker buttons and the pop-up flash were difficult to move. After a bit of cleaning the rockers seem to work OK, but the flash is still a bit reluctant to pop-up and sometimes needs to be prised up with a finger nail.

On the top of the prism behind the pop up flash is an LCD panel (called the CENTIC display panel in the handbook) which shows the current camera settings, and a button at the back of the camera behind the hot shoe turns on a small light to illuminate this panel.

Fonte: simonhawketts.com

The Pentax SFXn/SF1n is a autofocus 35mm SLR camera introduced in 1989, two years after the SFX (SFI).
It uses a electronic vertical traveling metal focal plane shutter with speeds from 30 to 1/4000 of a second. Slower shutter speeds less than 1/30 of a sec has to be used in manual mode. Flash sync is at 1/125 of a sec.
Exposure modes include Programed AE (normal, action, depth), aperture priority, shutter priority and metered manual modes. The meter is a TTL center weighted type with a range of 1 to 20 EV at (ASA 100, 50mm f/1.4), and can be set for DX-coded film speeds from 25 to 5000 ISO and manual speeds of 6 to 6400 in 1/3 stops. The motorized film transport is able to travel at up to 2.2 fps. It can be powered by a 2CR5 battery or by four AA batteries with the optional grip.
Categories: StubFlickr imagePentaxJapanese 35mm autofocus SLRS

Fonte: camera-wiki.org


Especificações

Exposure Modes

There are a variety of exposure modes offered on the Pentax SFXn, almost as many as offered on a modern DSLR.

It’s possible to use Aperture priority, Shutter Priority & Fully Manual operation. In addition there are three Program modes where the camera sets both aperture and shutter speed. The three program modes are normal ‘Fully Automatic’ mode, a Sports mode which uses the fastest shutter speed possible and a depth mode which maximizes depth of field by using the largest aperture possible.

Aperture priority mode is set when the aperture on the lens is set to anything other than the A setting. If the camera is fitted with a lens with out the A setting than Aperture Priority will be the mode it operates in unless set to manual.

Once the lens is set to A, the camera can be set to any of it’s program modes or Shutter Priority mode by pushing the top plate rocker switch to ‘Mode’ and using the slider behind the shutter button to set the mode, which is displayed on the LCD Panel. This is such a simple operation that it’s very easy to quickly work out all the operating modes of the camera.

Viewfinder

In common with most 35mm film cameras the viewfinder on the Pentax SFXn is big and bright, and the focusing screen is replaceable.

There is one focus point which is marked in the middle of the frame and some electronic indicators up the right hand side and at the bottom. These indicators are not as sophisticated as modern cameras; They are more like some fixed coloured numbers which light up when appropriate. For example, the shutter speed is indicated by a series of numbers up the right hand side of the viewfinder ranging from ‘LT’ (Long Time?) to 4000 (1/4000 sec) to show the shutter speed selected. There is an indicator at the top which is either A (Auto) or P (Program) and a display at the bottom of a green square when focussed and red arrows when not. The shutter speed lights are yellow up to 1/30th indicating caution for hand held  photography and green above that. If the exposure will be under or over exposed the indicated speed flashes as a warning.

One piece of information missing from the viewfinder display is the aperture which the lens is set to. With the sigma lens I have fitted you can only see the aperture by looking at the lens, but the LCD display has an F number display so I guess some lenses would display their F stop setting.

Film Drive & Autofocus

The camera has an inbuilt motor drive which can be set to normal single frame shooting, self-timer mode, bracketing mode or self timer multiple exposures.

The autofocus system will work in single focus or continuous mode. This is set with a small switch at the from the the camera which also allows the lens to be set to manual focus. I have found that the focus is quite quick in use with the sigma 28 – 80 lens I have fitted to is and it works in quite low light. The accuracy of the focus system will be determined once I’ve put a film through the camera.

Fonte: simonhawketts.com

Year introduced 1989	Mount KAF	Meter range 1 - 20 EV	Meter pattern c
ISO range 6 - 6400	DX ISO range 25 - 5000	Exposure modes P, Av, Tv, M, X, B	Exposure compensation +/-4 EV
Exposure memory lock Yes	Shutter speeds (auto) 30 - 1/4000s	Shutter speeds (manual) 1 - 1/4000s	Shutter speeds (mechanical) None
Self timer Yes	Mirror lock-up No	Auto bracketing Yes	Multiple exposures No
Winder Built-in 2.2 fps	Built-in flash Yes, GN 14	TTL flash Yes	P-TTL flash No
Sync speed 1/125s	Flash exposure comp No	Autofocus Yes (1 point)	Autofocus sensitivity 2 - 18 EV
Power zoom No	Viewfinder 0.81x, 92%	Viewfinder type Pentaprism	Diopter correction Yes
Exchangeable screen Yes	Depth of field preview No	Image size 24 x 36 mm	Panorama format No
Battery 2CR5	Battery grip/pack AA battery grip	Size (W x H x D) 154.5 x 99 x 63.5 mm	Weight 665 g
Comment Program modes: Normal, Action, Depth of field. Special accessory: Interval data back

Fonte: pentaxforums.com


Modelo

A minha tem o n.º de série 4547160.


Sítios de referência

camera-wiki.org

pentaxforums.com

simonhawketts.com


Manual

Manual em inglês (password="Pentax")


Baterias

4 AA batteries

Filme


Fotografias tiradas com esta máquina


Vídeos

Nikon F65 (2001)

Nikon F65 (2001)

#96

Esta fotografia é do exemplar que possuo.

Características

Easy operation with exposure mode select dial and command dial with large top deck LCD panel. Uses Nikon’s cross-ranged, five area autofocus sensor (Multi-CAM 900 sensor). Dynamic AF and Lock-On™ autofocus operation. Nikon's exclusive 3D Matrix Metering using six-segment Matrix sensor. Built-in auto pop-up Speedlight with 28mm lens coverage and guide number of 12/39 (ISO 100, m/ft). Matrix Balanced Fill-Flash for automatic balanced exposure of both foreground subject and background AUTO mode for fully automatic control Vari-Program System includes five versatile programs. Built-in AF-Assist Illuminator. Alternate F65QD version offers data imprinting.

Fonte: mir.com.my

Especificações

Type: Autofocus SLR body

Manufacturer: Nikon

Year of launch: 2001

Film type: 35mm, automatic recognition of DX-coded film speed, speeds from 25 to 5000 ASA

Lens mount: Nikon F autofocus bayonet, depth of field preview button

Shutter: CPU-controlled focal plane shutter with speeds 30 - 1/2000 sec.

Metering: 3D-six-zone-matrix TTL measuring or center weighted TTL measuring

Exposure modes: shutter priority, aperture priority, manual, programmed

Programs: Portrait, Landscape, Close-up, Sports continuous, Night Scene

Focusing: Cross-ranged, five-area autofocus system

Viewfinder: pentaprism, diopter adjustment

Display: LCD

Film advance: Automatic motorized advance and rewind

Flash: built-in miniature flash (GN 40), or flash gun on TTL-enhanced hot shoe

Dimensions: 139.5×92.5×65.6mm

Weight: 395g without the two CR2 3V batteries

Options: Remote control

Variant: F65D with data imprinting

Fonte: Camerapedia

Modelo

Existem pelo menos dois modelos: negro e prateado. A minha é do tipo prateado e tem o n.º de série 2778505. A lente é uma Nikon AF Nikkor 28-80mm f/1:3.3-5.6

Baterias

Usa 2 baterias CR2

Bateria tipo CR2

Sítios de referência

Camerapedia

imaging.nikkon.com

mir.com.my


Manual

Manual em inglês


Filme

Fujicolor C200 200/24

Fotografias tiradas com esta máquina

Nikon F65 - amostra 1

Nikon F65 - amostra 2

Nikon F65 - amostra 3

Nikon F65 - amostra 4

Nikon F65 - amostra 5

Vídeos