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[Index]

Cameras

In each section you will find what features to look for and what features to avoid when purchasing a camera for KAP use. There are three basic types of cameras used for KAP:

The cameras below are not often used in KAP, but that does not mean they should not be used.



What to look for in a KAP camera:

If you intend to use your camera for picture taking other than KAP, you may have to compromise with some of the guidelines below.
  1. Weight-
    • The lightest cameras are around 5 oz. (140g) The lightest SLRs are 15oz. (425g). If your P&S camera approachs 15 oz. of weight, you may be better off going with a SLR.
  2. Zoom-
    • Don’t chose a zoom camera if a similar fixed focal length camera is available for the following reasons:
      1. Weight- Zoom lenses are heavier
      2. Aperture-the lowest aperture of a zoom lens is larger than for a fixed lens.
      3. Quality - Zoom lenses will produce poorer quality pictures than fixed lenses of the same manufacturer.
      You will find that you will never use the telephoto during KAP use.
  3. Lens Manufacturer-
    • Lens quality will effect picture quality more than any other feature the camera has. When buying a P&S camera there are a couple of well known lens makers that you might keep your eyes out for . One is Carl Ziess and another is Schneider. These are well known for their quality. Don’t assume that a P&S camera made by a certain manufacturer will have lenses made by the same manufacturer. Many times to save costs the lenses are purchased from independent lens makers and therefore may not have the same level of quality that company has with their SLR interchangeable lenses.
  4. Auto Shut-Off-
    • You don’t want it! This feature turns the camera off if it has been inactive after some set period of time, usually between 5 and 15 minutes. If this were to happen to a camera on a KAP rig there would have to be another servo to actuate the on/off switch, or the KAP rig would have to be brought down to turn the camera back on.

    The following items are not commonly found on P&S cameras but keep an eye out for them.

  5. Screw Thread on Lens-
    • This would allow the easy attachment of filters.
  6. Shutter and/or Aperture Priority-
    • P&S cameras are made to be idiot proof so I don’t expect to see much of this feature. The Ricoh 35R has aperture priority, but it may only be available in Europe. I’m excluding several high end P&S cameras that cost over $500US which have this feature.
  7. Remote Shutter Release-
    • This allows for a lower vibration method for shutter activation and possibly lighter weight by replacing the servo with a relay. There are three types of remote shutter release;
      1. Mechanical - uses a mechanical push rod to press the shutter (this is an older method in vogue before electronics were used widely in cameras).
      2. Infrared- Similar to remote control used on a TV (usually limited to 15 feet.).
      3. Electric Plug- A electrical plug- in cable that has a push button or slide switch on the end which closes an electrical circuit in the camera.
  8. Interval Timer-
    • You might want this feature if you are going to use the camera on a low tech rig without R/C. An Interval Timer allows you to set the camera to repeatedly take a picture at a set interval of time which you can vary from a few seconds to several minutes.
  9. Built-in Flash-
    • Almost all P&S type cameras will have built-in flash. SLR cameras may offer choices of with and without. The Cannon Rebel-X has a version called the Rebel XS which has a built-in flash. The flash model is heavier than the one without.

35mm P&S Cameras

This group includes $5 disposable cameras up to cameras worth several hundred dollars US. For $5 to $30 you will get a camera that will have a non-zoom lens (probably plastic) and a manual film advance. From $30 up cameras begin to have motorized film advance, higher quality lenses, zoom lenses, better exposure systems and other options. What you don’t get is interchangeable lenses, shutter speed selection, aperture selection. P&S cameras are made for people who only want to push the shutter button to take a picture.

The great thing about P&S cameras is that they are usually small and light weight. You can get a motorized camera under 6 oz. (170g), with a good quality lens, for as little as $80 at the time this was written. The two most popular P&S cameras used in KAP are:

STYLUS EPIC
©1999 by B&H Photo-Video.
Used by permission. 		Olympus Stylus Epic (the price has come down from $150 to $90)
  • 35mm f/2.8 Fixed Lens
  • AF 1.1´ to Infinity
  • Auto Flash, Fill Flash, Flash Off, Slow Sync, Red-Eye Reduction
  • Center Weighted or Spot Metering
  • Weather Resistant
  • Multi Beam AF
  • 4.3 x 2.3 x 1.5´´
  • Weighs 4.7 oz.


YASHICA T4
©1999 by B&H Photo-Video.
Used by permission. 		Yashica T4 ($150)
  • 35mm f/3.5 Fixed Zeiss Lens
  • 3 Beam AF 1.2' to Infinity
  • Auto Flash, Fill Flash, Flash Off, Red-Eye Reduction
  • Infinity Mode
  • Low Battery
  • Weatherproof
  • 4.7 x 2.5 x 1.6"
  • Weighs 6.7 oz.

APS (advanced photographic system) cameras


APS cameras appear very similar to the 35mm P&S cameras. APS cameras allow the user to remove a partially completed roll of film from the camera and then replace it and continue shooting where the last frame left off. The film is stored in its original cartridge, even after development. You are given a proof sheet of your entire roll of film so you can tell what is in each cartridge. A proof sheet is small “thumb nail” images of each negative on a page about 8" by 5".

Two major disadvantages are, the negative size, which is slightly smaller than that of the 35mm, and the cost of APS film and processing is higher than for 35mm. The claim that the APS will take three different size pictures from normal to panoramic is misleading. In reality the negative is the same size no matter what format you select. The format only comes into play when the print is made. For the panoramic mode the image is cropped to give the long narrow format. You can do the same thing with your 35mm prints if you have a scanner and good image manipulation software.

Even though APS seems questionable as a film format there are several interesting cameras made for APS that look very useful for KAP work. The APS psychology seems bent toward the development of light and compact cameras, so keep an eye out for future developments.

An asterisk is placed after the attractive KAP features of these cameras.

Elph LT
©1999 by B&H Photo-Video.
Used by permission. 		Canon ELPH LT APS $80
  • 23mm f/4.8 Fixed Lens (35 equiv. 29mm)
  • World's lightest APS AF camera
  • AF 2´ to Infinity
  • Auto Flash, Fill Flash, Flash Off, Slow Sync, Red-Eye Reduction
  • Prints 5 Titles in 6 Languages
  • 3.3 x 2.2 x 1.4´´ *
  • Weighs 4.1 oz. * (The lightest auto-rewind currently made)
Olympus NewPic M10
©1999 by B&H Photo-Video.
Used by permission. 		Olympus NEWPIC M 10 MACRO APS $100
I include this camera to illustrate how deceiving camera specifications can be. Most retailers advertise this camera as 1/10,000 sec. shutter speed. I was suspect of this claim and continued researching until I found buried in the Olympus site the fact that 1/10,000 sec was achieved with the flash. The top physical shutter speed without flash assistance was 1/300 sec.
  • 25mm f/6.7 Fixed Lens (35 equiv. 31mm)
  • AF Normal 3.3´ to Infinity, Ultra macro .3-1', & Super macro 1-3.3'
  • Auto Flash, Fill Flash, Flash Off, Red-Eye Reduction
  • 1/300-normal; 1/10,000 shutter speed in ultra macro (Flash speed)
  • Ultra sharp D.O.F. f/44 max f/stop *
  • 4.3 x 2.5 x 1.8"
  • Weighs 6 oz. *
Minolta GX4 Underwater
©1999 by B&H Photo-Video.
Used by permission. 		Minolta GX4 UNDERWATER APS $84.90
  • 27mm f/6.4 Fixed Lens (35 equiv. 34mm)
  • Fixed Focus 3.3' to Infinity
  • Auto Flash
  • Yellow Color
  • Maximum Depth 16.5' * (If you KAP around water)
  • 5.3 x 3.1 x 1.9"
  • Weighs 8.4 oz.

SLR cameras (single lens reflex)-

Advantages to using a 35mm SLR over a 35mm P&S camera:
  1. Control- most SLR’s have control over:
    • Shutter Speed- allowing you to manually select the speed you want. You also have more choices.
    • Aperture- allowing you to manually select the f-stop
    • Interchangeable Lenses - you can select from 14mm fish-eye lenses up to 600mm telephoto lenses. For KAP you want wide angle lenses, 35mm or lower.
  2. Quality- The lenses made for SLR cameras are generally of a higher quality than those found in P&S cameras. Lens quality effects overall picture quality more than any one feature. SLR lenses will also offer larger apertures than P&S lenses.
  3. Features- As a group SLR cameras will have more features than P&S cameras.

Disadvantages of SLR cameras are cost and weight. SLR’s cost more than P&S cameras. There are however several models of 35mm SLR cameras that are within a couple of ounces (28g) of one pound (454g) and have been successfully used by KAPers.

Two good choices of 35mm SLR’s for KAP work are listed below. I chose models that had electric remote shutter release.

Canon Rebel G
©1999 by B&H Photo-Video.
Used by permission. 		Canon Rebel G $240-body only
  • Shutter Speed (max) 1/2000
  • Remote release terminal
  • Shutter and Aperture Priority
  • Weight 12.3 oz (349g) -body only

(The Rebel X is similar to the Rebel G but does not have the flip-up flash and is a little lighter)

Two good Canon auto-focus lenses for KAP
EF 28mm f/2.8
Focus Drive: EFD
Elements/Groups: 5/5
Angle of View: 75°
Minimum Focus: 1 ft. (0.3m)
Minimum Aperture: f/22
Filter (diameter): 52mm
Length: 111/16" (42.5mm)
Weight: 6.5 oz. (185g)
$174.95
EF 35mm f/2
Focus Drive: EFD
Elements/Groups: 5/7
Angle of View: 63°
Minimum Focus: 0.8 ft. (0.25m)
Minimum Aperture: f/22
Filter (diameter): 52mm
Length: 111/16" (43mm)
Weight: 7.4 oz. (210g)
$249.95

The Rebel X would be a slightly better choice because the body is about an ounce (28g) lighter. It’s possible that this model is being discontinued. Most mail-order stores do not list the Rebel X, but I have seen it in the Wal-Mart stores in our area for $199 for camera body w/ 35-80mm f/4-5.6 lens. You would probably eventually want to replace the lens for a better quality lens.
Minolta 500si
©1999 by B&H Photo-Video.
Used by permission. 		Minolta 500si $260-body
  • Shutter Speed (max) - 1/2000 sec.
  • Remote release terminal
  • Shutter and Aperture Priority
  • Weight 14 oz. (397g) body only

Two good Minolta auto-focus lenses for KAP

AF 28mm f/2.8
Elements/Groups: 5/5
Angle of View: 75°
Minimum Focus: 1 ft. (0.3m)
Minimum Aperture: f/22
Filter (diameter): 49mm
Dimensions (diameter x length): 29/16 x 111/16" (7x4cm)
Weight: 6.5 oz. (184g)
$194.95
35mm f/2
Elements/Groups: 7/6
Angle of View: 63°
Minimum Focus: 1ft. (0.3m)
Minimum Aperture: f/22
Filter (diameter): 55mm
Dimensions (diameter x length): 25/8 x 115/16" (7x5cm)
Weight: 8.4 oz. (238g)
$279.95

Medium Format Cameras-

Medium format cameras have seldom been use in KAP. The negative that they produce is much larger than the 35mm negative, so they will allow for more enlargement before film grain becomes noticeable. They are heavy even with out motor drives, which few models have. Medium format cameras are also expensive. Several different negative formats are offered; 6cm X 4.5cm, 6cm X 5cm, and 6cm X 7cm are commonly available and a few cameras will allow you to switch between the different sizes by changing film backs.

Mimya 645
©1999 by B&H Photo-Video.
Used by permission. 		Mamiya 645 Pro
I include this camera just to give you an idea about what you may encounter if you decided to try this film format out. This is not a recommendation.
Features
With 80mm (normal) f/2.8 lens and hood, 120 film back, type B screen, hand-crank film advance, electronic cable release adapter, battery and neck strap. It includes the 211-316 Prism Finder.
Cost $1999.00
WEIGHT: 34.6 oz. (980g) with 120 film back

Holga 120S
©1999 by B&H Photo-Video.
Used by permission. 		Holga 120s
The Holga 120 is sold by B&H Photo. It is very inexpensive and probably does not produce the best pictures (single element lens) but for $19.95 it might be worth a try.

Features
  • Takes 16 6x4.5 or 12 6x6 square formats; 6x45 insert included
  • One 1/100 sec shutter speed
  • 2 f-stops, f8 and f11
  • Hot shoe for electronic flash
  • Single element 60mm wide angle lens
  • Neck strap included
  • Mostly plastic, including the lens
  • No batteries needed
  • Min. focusing distance ~3'
  • Mult. exposure - possible by not winding between shots
  • Zone focusing - no focus indication in finder at all
  • Weight-none given but from description I would assume that it was not too heavy.
  • Cost $19.95


Large Format Cameras

Large format cameras produce negatives that are measured in inches on each side. They are even bigger, heavier and more expensive than Medium Format cameras. You could build a large format camera yourself, I don’t know that you would save any money or weight. Used equipment is also a possibility.
Toyo 4X5
©1999 by B&H Photo-Video.
Used by permission. 		An example of a Large Format camera.
Toyo 45AII 4x5" Field Camera
Around $1500 for body
Weight 6+ pounds
Lenses $910 - $4000

All prices from B&H Photo & Video as of Nov. 1999


Fuji
MX-2700

Digital Cameras
click here to go to separate page about digital cameras