35mm-Compact-Camera Reviews

I love this camera b/c it take good pics and you don't have to rewind it or mess with any bad film out of it b/c there won't be any messed up film. Like the camera i had before it messed up so many of my film that it was a waste of money but this one i love. for the money it is great.

I got this when I was looking for a low-end zoom camera some three years ago and it's still in great condition, even after having dropped it several times (not recommended!). In fact, the most recent time I dropped it and the zoom stopped working, only to work again a couple of days later!

Beyond being very durable - probably related to its boxy design (the Volvo of cameras?) - the zoom is actually helpful, even if it only has 4 settings (38, 45, 52, & 60) and the LCD displays the number of pictures taken plus the strength of the battery (what else do you really need?). The camera has the five requisite settings: auto, auto with red-eye, with flash, without flash, and self-timer. The second flash to compensate for the red-eye does a wonderful job - I have had several portraits at close range with little to no red eye effect. Other normal features include a tripod whole plus a manual rewind button on the bottom plus a view to the film canister on the back in case you forget what type of film you put in the camera.

It's basically all you need in a compact zoom camera for a low price, plus did I mention it takes great pictures? Too bad it's out of stock.

An excellent combination, the Sigma SA-7 and the Sigma 28-200mm zoom lens. This is a well built camera expecially considering the price range. I've used Canon, Pentax and Fuji SLR 35mm cameras and the lower priced Sigma SA-7 gives just as good results and saves you money for an extra lens etc. Metering system performs as good as the name brands (actually Sigma is a well known lens manufacturer, just not known for their cameras since they are fairly new in that field). Auto Focusing slightly slower than some others but as accurate and is not a problem for me. Well made and completely "FUN" camera and lens. And it actually has some features found only on more expensive cameras. You'll fall in love with it right off and save a lot of money in the process. What more could you want!!!

I have shot several rolls of "test film" with this camera and I am very pleased with the results. I used to use a basic manual 35mm slr for several years, then went to point and shoots for awhile and finally decided it was time to get a "real" camera. I spent many weeks researching the different brands and models on the manufacturers web sites, photo magazine articles and photo shops. I chose the Sigma SA7 because I want to explore photography more and wanted a camera that is a little more sophisticated than some of the other "entry level" 35 slr's but without being intimidating, the SA7 is just that. It feels comfortable in the hand, it's easy to use and it gives you lots of options in your photo taking. It has excellent build quality (100% Made in Japan, camera and lens, an added value at this price level)and comes with a great compact hyperzoom macro 28-200mm lens. I chose this lens because I did not want to carry around several lenses and I was impressed with it's aspherical design (smaller and lighter than other 28-200 lenses, with no focal loss or distortion) and since most of my shooting will be of my children, family, sports, nature etc., I felt this lens would probably cover about 85-90% of my photo taking. The kit includes: camera, lens with dust cap, strap, batteries, lens hood and carry bag (some of these items cost extra with other brands). The instruction manual is well written. The autofocus is sometimes a bit slow to "lock on" but I think that is due to it's sensitve nature (I'm used to manual focus)and you learn to compensate for that. I did purchase the Tiffin 62mm filter kit with this camera (uv, polarizing,inside lighting filter)and have gotten great results. I would like to see Sigma offer a battery pack for the SA7. If you want a well made, easy to use camera that you can grow with the Sigma SA7 is it.

The Contax T3 is the best point'n'shoot in the world--the Leica Minilux is wonderful, but without external flash support (but it's wonderful lens is 1/2 step faster); the Rollei AFM 35 is the same thing but only 1/4 stop faster. Other special-production, top models from the likes of Minolta are OK, but the T3 is the real deal. Complementary products are the 28mm- and 21mm-lens models from Ricoh; for general use, though, the Contax T3, with its external TTL flash capability and best-in-class Zeiss T* lens, wins out.

ILFORD of the United Kingdom, long known for its excellent black and white films is the company that in the early 1980s developed "chromogenic" black and white films. Rather than use silver halide crystals which was th traditional method of manufacturing B&W film, which then require the use of developer, stop bath and fixing chemicals, ILFORD engineered this film around the use of colored dyes, much as regular color film is manufactured.

Successful in this effort, chromogenic B&W films are then capable of being developed in color chemistry, specifically the C-41 process. This film, like the offerings from ILFORD's competitors, KODAK and KONICA MUST NOT be developed in traditional black and white chemicals.

All chromogenic black and white films currently available are rated at ISO 400. Despite the relatively fast speed, all of those on the marketed are very fine grained and offer varying degrees of contrast. This film is no exception.

Chromogenic B&W films offer the convenience and cost effectiveness of being able to be developed by any local 1 hour lab. The key to that is the C-41 processing and the fact that the user will get B&W images even when they are printed on color paper. Some folks ho have used this film and its competition have commented on the fact that they have notice "color" shifts toward sepia, magenta or blue/gray. Part of that is the result of the technology of the film, part is the use of color paper to develop the images and the final part is the level of time and effort expended by the lab technician when the film is processed.

To completely eliminate any possibility of color shift, ask the lab to print using black and white paper. Doing so eliminates any possibility of color shift and the user then receives fine grained, very sharp, contrasty "black & white" photos.

The direct competition from KODAK includes: Kodak Black and White + (the consumer grade film), T400CN (the professional film) and PORTRA 400 (a professional chromogenic B&W portrait film often used at weddings).

KONICA's offering is known as MONOCHROME VX.

These are interesting, useful and convenient films and they also serve as a new way to "re-discover" the elegance and drama of black and white photography.

I recommend ILFORD's XP-2 Super. Try it, experiment with different color and black and white paper(s) and you'll be able to explore new roads of photographic discovery.

Of course it is the ultimate, it is well made by Leica, in Germany. I found the camera to be solid and easy to use. Read the extensivly detailed manual (in three languages, including english) to discover the many features and flexibility of this work of art and design. My cloud and indoor pictures have turned out exceptionally sharp with an (almost) idiot-proof metering and auto/manual focusing system. Since I wear glasses, the adjustable diopter in the viewfinder has helped me a great deal. The on body flash is powerful, and an excellent computer integrated accessory flash is available (Leica SF 24 D). The camera's large LCD data screen makes reading your adjustments easy. I have taken a lot of pictures in my lifetime of 68 years, with a lot of different makes and types of cameras and films. All camera systems are the result of a lot of compromises, and this one is something to dream for. Even with the advent of of the digital cameras, This film camera is exceptional! It was worth every cent I paid for it and the flash.

I bought this to replace my kodak KE60 that died after 2 1/2 years, and cost me about 3 times the cost. after the first few rolls, i was getting shots that compared to my Yashica Fx-103. I didn't fully realize it untill after i was orginizing the thousands of pics i have in my apartment that shots from the kodak wound up sitting next to the ones from this camera, and it was well beyond the images from the kodak. I actully think less of the kodak now. and i used to think it was a great camera.

I bought Leica C3 five months ago and the rubber ring from viewfinder came out. It took a lot of time to receive the part and to find the Leica service. Leica does not cover the cost of transportation of cameras even for a camera in warranty.
Other problem: unexplained mid-roll broken film inside the camera!

For the photos the quality is very good even in the low-light conditions, sharp and natural colours.
A good camera, easy to use, very nice design, but having problems with the camera body so soon and unpleasant experience with the Leica service is quite disappointing.

It seems everyone that is contemplating buying a new camera these days (particularly in the novice and point/shoot market place), will automatically go for the digital option, and pay a lot of money and get a camera that on the service of it, appears to offer every option under the sun, but in reality takes disappointing photos! But the thought of going back to a good old 35mm point and shoot camera, is just to socially hard to except! So why should the Leica C3 change your mind about 35mm compact point and shoot cameras!
Well to start off....Its a Leica, probably the most prestigious camera maker in the world, built designed and bread in Germany. Only the best material, best optics. and best styling go into making every model, so which ever one you go for (C1,C2,C3), you can be pretty sure its way up there on the list in its class. Even before you find out what the C3 has under that solid stainless steel casing, you won't want to put it down. It feels, looks and handles beautifully. The C3 is built to last with a real retro feel and every part of the camera oozes quality. The buttons and display are very simple, clean and very well laid out, making the camera so simple to use a child would be able to pick it up and take pictures.
The C3 features a 28mm - 80mm lens, the same as a standard lens for many an SLR. What's sets this lens apart from other brands of camera is its build (only genuine optical glass not plastic), its incredible speed for a compact camera (making pictures in less than adequate lighting a breeze and worry free) and its sharpness/depth of colour. Infact the colour reproduction is breath taking, reproducing deep rich smooth colour within pin sharp focus! I have had friends amazed by what the C3 can achieve!! The 28mm wide angle lens is also great for capturing landscapes and architecture, whilst the 80mm top end will aid you with portraits and macro work.
So with the C3 you really are getting value/quality for money and obviously a great looking camera, wearing that exclusive Leica label.
Sure this camera may not be a 5 mega pixel, movie making piece of stainless steel the size of a stock cube (although the 35mm pictures it takes cover as much, if not more detail than a 13.5 mega pixel camera, something digital lovers like to leave out), but you are getting a solid camera that takes amazing photos every time. My advise before buying any camera would be to think carefully about what you are buying it for! And If your looking for a camera that feels great, looks the part, takes breath taking photos in almost any lighting condition, that is simple to use and that can fit into your pocket, the Leica C3 is the one for you. The Leica C3 also comes with a 7 year warranty and a hard as nails plastic transparent case, making this product almost indestructible.

This is a really great camera which has a really wonderful lens for this type of camera - the colours and the details are quite stunning when compared to previous high end compacts I've used (£200 ish category). The lens is f3.6 at 28mm, very fast for a zoom compact.

It's also unusual in design which makes it quite interesting to my mind. For example it has a T mode for long exposures of up to 90 seconds (great for night scenes in cities or traffic trails). It also has a stepped zoom at 28,42,50,60,70,80mm, which I find quite handy when composing, and you can zoom right through it you want to.

Metering is excellent, I've tried a number of different films from 100-400 asa including 2 slide films, which have been perfectly exposed.

the flash is very powerful, perhaps a bit too much so, but if you focus on the nearest subject, it closes the aperture and this lessens the blast as well as giving good depth of field. It does give red-eye, but most on camera flash will - just get a red eye pen and sort it that way.

But overall it's the lens which is the real selling point. OK it's expensive, but you can't really value the difference it could make.

A tip - and this is obvious - get your photos developed somewhere pretty good as it makes all the difference when you have a good lens.

Yes, it's nice to have a 28 mm lens on an auto-everything camera, but other than that, I don't really understand what the big deal (the raves of other reviewers) is with this camera. The pictures are not any sharper than with my Olympus Stylus Zoom, the exposures are not that great under many conditions, it is very difficult -- if not impossible -- to stop the zoom where you want to in the middle of its range, and -- worst of all for me -- the camera comes pre-set with a printable (wrong) date, that unless you reset or erase it will ruin all of your photos!! I stupidly took this camera on vacation without testing it first and shot eleven rolls of film with it. I sure wish I had taken my Olympus instead.

I needed a small camera with a 28 mm lens. The other choice was an Olympus stylus epic, fixed 28 mm. But for travel the zoom is great. I also took photos with my 5 megapixel camera. there is no comparison. used Fuji superia 200 film, amazing colors, detail, even the kodak photo cd blew away the Dig. And the batteries never die (unlike a dig). destined to be a clasic like its previous incarnataion.

I've gone through around ten rolls of film, and the results are really clear. rarely have I seen this camera on the street I would guess most purchases today are digital cameras. I own both. but after the many request for copies of the clear photos from the t-4. I now use it all the time. I really enjoy the remote control,with a tripod.\ get close to subject when shooting, and you will look like a pro.its a good camera, and its easy to use. and for 200 dollars you will be very happy.

Fuji film's Velvia 50 is that company's finest grain slide film and to many photographers and viewers of images taken with this emulsion, the film became the standards for what colorful could be.

Fuji is the arch-competitor to the grand dame of the film industry - KODAK. While a youngster compared to KODAK, Fuji has come a very long way in their product development, chemistry and the quality of the finished product since they first started competing against KODAK in the North American marketplace.

When I first started using Fuji print films approximately 17 years ago, I did not like them. I found that they had too high a preponderance of green and they would lose detail quickly. Their colors were less natural than KODAK's and less faithful to the color of the subject photographed. After shooting 8-10 rolls of Fuji 100 and 400, I returned to KODAK products.

Years later, when I acquired my first NIKON AF 35 mm SLRs and with much more experience under my belt, I decided to give FUJI another try. I had heard that the company had done much to correct the problems with their chemistry and emulsions and that overall quality of their films had improved dramatically. During this time, FUJI was severely criticized by KODAK and the U.S. government for "dumping" film into the USA below cost in a cheap play to acquire market share. Fuji denied this tactic and continued to use it as a way to win over American professional and enthusiast photographers.

After switching from manual 35 mm cameras to AF, I also started shooting a lot more slide film and I decided to try Fuji slide and print films again. While for most products I remain a KODAK loyalist (I shoot only professional quality/grade film), I will use FUJI when I think the application is right.

When using slides I like Velvia 50 for its exceptionally fine grain and very saturated colors. Many users of this slide film will shoot it at ISO 40 to increase saturation. I have not done that because this is already a slow speed film and I recommend a tripod when using it, this is an excellent slide film for shooting landscapes and other scenic views.

This slide film IS NOT suited for portraiture, either outdoors or inside with flash. Slides taken outdoors of people, especially folks who are Caucasian tend to deliver faces with very "ruddy" coloring. Indoors with flash, complexions tend to take on an eerie greenish cast. Obviously, not very true to life.

For more accurate and faithful colors, more like what was seen through the viewfinder, Kodak slide films, but especially the now extinct KODAKCHROME 25, the still available K64 and the EKTACHROME 64 family of slide films will deliver much more neutral, but true colors. Contrast will also be more accurate.

If realism is not your primary reason for using slide film and you are more interested in the WOW of super-saturated colors, then FUJI Velvia 50, shot outdoors is a good choice.

While some have been disappointed with the optical performance of this camera, they may not have given it a fair test. With a lens that zooms from 38 to 105mm AND a small-diameter lens, the 1/f number runs from 4.0 to 10.9 as the focal length increases. Therefore, plunking in a roll of your favorite 64 or 100 ASA film will lead to S L O W shutter speeds in dim light, which will soften the photograph unless a tripod is used. I've found that using high speed film and/or a tripod in dim light will give excellent images. The lens really is excellent but slow shutter speeds can vitiate its imaging ability.

Its exposure calculation is excellent, giving perfectly exposed slides --- amazingly good for a point and shoot camera.

As with many P&S zoom film cameras, the moving of the lens in and out is sometimes annoying. I wish it had internal focusing.