kanner@tymix.UUCP (Herb Kanner) (04/04/85)
In article <772@peora.UUCP> san@peora.UUCP (Sanjay Tikku) writes: >> <<<>>> >> >> I am thinking of getting a second camera of the "point and shoot" variety. >> My price range is between $75 and $125. So far I have my eye on the Minolta >> "Talker" >> >> Has anyone used this camera? Are any of the other compact 35mm cameras equal >> in quality for less money? I would like to call attention to an article in the current issue of Modern Photograpy, in which it states that all of the "point and shoot" autofocus cameras do not truly autofocus. Instead, there are four specific focussing positions (zones), and the sensor determines which zone is chosen. This criticism does not apply to autofocus SLR cameras, such as the Minolta MAXUM, which have a real servo driving the focussing gear to focus precisely on the chosen object. -- Herb Kanner Tymnet, Inc.
doug@terak.UUCP (Doug Pardee) (04/08/85)
Since the question of whether auto-focus is desirable or not has been
raised -- I haven't used AF, but my brother refuses to use one again.
It's too slow for action shots -- by the time it has focussed and the
shutter opens, the "picture" is gone. And when shooting through closed
windows and the like, it focusses on the glass instead of the subject.
--
Doug Pardee -- Terak Corp. -- !{hao,ihnp4,decvax}!noao!terak!dougsan@peora.UUCP (Sanjay Tikku) (04/12/85)
> Since the question of whether auto-focus is desirable or not has been > raised -- I haven't used AF, but my brother refuses to use one again. > It's too slow for action shots -- by the time it has focussed and the > shutter opens, the "picture" is gone. And when shooting through closed > windows and the like, it focusses on the glass instead of the subject. > -- > Doug Pardee -- Terak Corp. -- !{hao,ihnp4,decvax}!noao!terak!doug I must respond to Doug for the above advise. I disagree with it 100%. I have used Nikon's L35AF with no complaints. Since, it focusses on the subject in the center one should attempt to keep the subject there in times when depth of field is small. With good depth of field it is not critical at all. As far as the slowness is concerned, it is simply an incorrect statement when generalized to all AF cameras. The Cannon's AF ( I can't recall the model # but it is the equivalent of Nikon's L35AF) takes 6 snaps a second and all you got to do is to keep the click button pressed. For taking photographs through glass, well that's easy, all you got to do is to lock focus on a distant object and then take the photo through glass. I have had no problems till now. The AF cameras are good in normal daylight conditions. The difference starts showing up ( say with Minolta's X700) when light conditions are poor or when the frame contains subjects with extremely high contrast. I personally believe that getting a good picture requires skill on the photographer's part and his/her understanding of various fundamentals of photography. I have seen people spoiling films while using them in Minolta X700. Now is that a bad camera. In my opinion, AF cameras are very good for people who do not want to bother about turning knobs and checking settings. It still requires a basic knowledge of photographing. Sanjay Tikku Perkin-Elmer,SDC, Orlando ..!vax135!petsd!peora!san ..!{ucbvax,decvax,allegra,ihnp4}!pesnta!peora!san
herbie@watdcsu.UUCP (Herb Chong [DCS]) (04/13/85)
In article <813@peora.UUCP> san@peora.UUCP (Sanjay Tikku) writes: > The Cannon's AF > ( I can't recall the model # but it is the equivalent of Nikon's L35AF) > takes 6 snaps a second and all you got to do is to keep the click button > pressed. i find this statement hard to believe. my $400 motor drive with high voltage pack will only do 5 frames/sec. yes, mine's an SLR, but even with the reduced moving mass and parts of a leaf-type shutter, i still find it hard to believe because if i were a manufacturer, i would never put such cappability into the hands of what is most likely to be a beginning amateur. > I personally believe that getting a good picture requires skill on the > photographer's part and his/her understanding of various fundamentals of > photography. I have seen people spoiling films while using them in > Minolta X700. Now is that a bad camera. very true. the camera ultimately just records what the photographer has envisioned with varying degrees of assistance. > In my opinion, AF cameras are very good for people who do not want to > bother about turning knobs and checking settings. It still requires a > basic knowledge of photographing. you'd be surprised how little. i used to sell cameras for a living. most people buy these types of cameras because they don't want to learn if its their first camera beyond an instamatic-type. pro's buy these because they fit into a pocket. > Sanjay Tikku Herb Chong... I'm user-friendly -- I don't byte, I nybble.... UUCP: {decvax|utzoo|ihnp4|allegra|clyde}!watmath!water!watdcsu!herbie CSNET: herbie%watdcsu@waterloo.csnet ARPA: herbie%watdcsu%waterloo.csnet@csnet-relay.arpa NETNORTH, BITNET, EARN: herbie@watdcs, herbie@watdcsu