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Re: Best "budget" non-digital 35 MM

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Run to a Ritz shop and get the Olympus SuperZoom 120 kit for $200. (it's ONLY available at Ritz) A little bigger than many of today's tiny models but not too bad, it's really the Olympus SuperZoom 3500DLX from 4-5 years ago. Very good lens and flash. With ISO 400 film the flash is good to 40' at the wide angle end. Camera is weatherproof, has a very accurate meter, has spotmetering (really), a display that lights up automatically in the dark, easy controls, an infinity mode, and comes with a remote control. Focal length is 35 mm to 120 mm which is usefully wider than the vast majority of 38 mm to something zooms. The camera uses 2 CR-123A cells (buy those at Walmart for best price)which ensures long battery life, and has the benefit of quick zooms and fast flash recharge. Important issues on tours where time is limited. It has a date back as well.

And last but not least, it has an f/4.5 to f/8.7 lens. The fastest long zoom by a mile. If you shoot an SLR, f/8.7 it's pretty slow, but in point and shoots, it's super fast. Most of the current crop are up around f/11 or slower. Some are now at f/13.5!!! So slow they call for flash in an overcast with ISO 400 film. Perfectly useless except in full sun.

I have had mine for several years and run several hundred rolls through it. No problems and sharp, well exposed prints. I use Kodak Max 400 for everything, and the shots are always sharp, contrasty and well exposed. Fuji Superia XTRA 400 also works well, but witrh less of the postcard look.


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  • Re: Best "budget" non-digital 35 MM - Bold Eagle 20:10:15 06/24/02 (1)


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