MANUAL
FOCUS Near the low end of
the price range are several traditional manual-focus cameras with manual film
advance. These cameras are often preferred by students and teachers, since
they are a great way to learn about photography and all the controls that
are used to create great pictures. The Vivitar V4000s and V3800 and the Nikon
FM10 have manual exposure only; the Minolta X-370N/X-370S and Phoenix P2 have
aperture-priority auto exposure and manual exposure. In addition to manual
exposure, the Pentax ZX-M also offers numerous auto exposure modes and auto
film load, advance and rewind
AUTO
FOCUS There is more competition among the camera makers in this
category, with new models appearing more frequently and new or improved features
being promoted. All AF SLR cameras have built-in auto film wind systems, a
built-in flash with a separate shoe for mounting an external flash and have
various auto-exposure modes. An auto focus SLR is as easy to use as point
& shoot cameras but offers through-the-lens viewing and many modes and overrides
for greater creative control..
ENTRY-LEVEL
AF SLR cameras typically have a top shutter speed of 1/2000th sec., a single
metering pattern, film advance up to 1.5 frames per second. Some of the most
popular models in this category are the Canon EOS Rebel 2000, Minolta Maxxum
STsi, Nikon N65 and Pentax ZX-30. They are economical to buy and have plenty
of easy-to-use features. |