knudsen@ihnss.UUCP (11/14/83)
Thanks to the many who have responded re my busted Topcon D-1. Most agree that (1) the D-1 was a classic camera, 1st thru-lens metering (yes, I was very proud when I got it), and (2) $212.50 is too damn much to fix it, ie, someone else should be able to fix it cheaper. Well, that repair quote is from the importer himself (Beseler?), where the original repair depot had to send the camera. The local shop sez anyone else would end up sending it there too, for same ultimate charge. Of course, some repair place just MIGHT have a D-1 shutter mechanism salted away (in oiled wax paper, not salt...). So I may keep trying. Meanwhile, I've decided to upgrade to something lighter, smaller, with once again state-of-art metering, and able to take the new compact wide-angle lenses (my old Angineux 35mm f2.8 is a big blue whale). I'm considering Pentax ME super ($175), Super-Program (255), Minolta X-700, Olympus OM-10 or OM-2N (wish wish), or Nikon FG ($210 at one store). "I wanted a Pentax or Oly, but could only afford a Nikon... how about some sympathy?? Oh yes, I can get a Canon A-1 for the Oly OM-2N price. SOmeone recommended it; it seems to be the Apple of cameras. I want Aperture Priority & MAnual, & do low-lite-level stuff, but also want TTL flash. So keep those ideas coming.... In thanks for your help, I offer this gift: Photography may be art, but what is difference between painters and photographers? Answer: Two painters can shoot the bull without once mentioning brushes. --mike k
tjk@cbneb.UUCP (11/21/83)
I've recently shopped around for 35mm SLRs and have settled on the Pentax ME Super Program as the best buy for my money and taste. I disliked the controls on the Canon A-1 as well as the Oly line. The X-700 is okay, and the Nikon FG is nice right now due to the $35 dollar rebate through 1/31/84, but the Super Program beats them for features. Here's what I liked about it. 1. Shutter speeds from 8 sec. to 1/2000. Nikon FG (1 - 1/1000). 2. TTL flash , 1/125 sec synch. 3. Very nice controls, solid feeling compactness. I personally like the push button shutter speed controls over the traditional dial. 4. PC terminal (Nikon FG has none). 5. The easiest to read and most informative viewfinder I looked at. LCD readouts for shutter speed and f-stop, illuminated in low light. Ricoh also uses LCDs plus f-stop reflecected off lense barrel like Minolta, but Ricoh's viewfinder is harder to read and can't be illuminatied. Nikon FG doesn't tells you f-stop in any mode. 6. Full multi-mode exposure options like A-1 ... fully programmed, aperture priority, shutter priority, fully manual. The only disadvantage ... for full functionality, the Super Program requires the new Pentax A series lenses, a variation on the standard K mount. These lenses are as new as the camera and are naturally more expensive than regular K mount lenses. Standard K lenses can be used but only in manual and aperture priority mode. Shop around. I picked mine up for $249.95 at a local catalog store with a f/1.7 50mm lense. For a Nikon FG, you'll probably pay around $170 - $200 for the body and a standard 50mm lense after the rebate (based on mail order prices in latest Popular Photo). The extra bucks to me are worth it for the Pentax, plus the lenses will come down with time like everything else. Then too, the independents like Tokina and Vivitar should eventually pick up on the A series and offer some competition. Good Luck, Tim K.