Vivitar V3800N Zoom

This camera is a classic basic all-manual film SLR with TTL metering. This makes it great as a student camera or for those who want to do without all the automation (auto-focus, auto-exposure, etc.). Those who want more automation should look elsewhere. The V3800N uses Pentax K-mount lenses, and works correctly with all of the K-mount lenses I own (about a dozen of them from various manufacturers). The camera is fairly compact and has a plastic shell, but seems to have a metal frame underneath the plastic. It feels sturdy and well built. It's noisier than some SLRs I've used, but quieter than others.

Metering is done via in-viewfinder LEDs, much as with many other manual-exposure SLRs. The LEDs are bright and clear, but the viewfinder offers no indication of the aperture and shutter speed that have been selected. There's no "off" switch for the meter; it activates when you partially depress the shutter release button or when you depress the auxiliary meter button (above and to the right of the lens, viewed from the front of the camera).

Aside from the obviously missing automation, the camera's feature set is quite good, and includes a hot shoe, X-sync flash connector, multiple exposure capability, depth-of-field preview button, tripod socket, self-timer, mechanical cable release connector, auxiliary meter button, and both split-field and microprism focusing aids. The shutter is a vertical-travel metal blade shutter and the camera provides flash sync at 1/125s, with shutter speeds from 1s to 1/2000s plus "B." You can set film speeds from ISO 25 to ISO 3200 via a mechanical dial (the camera doesn't read DX codes, which is both a plus and a minus). The camera lacks a mirror lock-up, provision for an auto-winder, auto-exposure, and auto-focus. The self-timer lever is positioned where many K-mount cameras put the depth-of-field preview button, which can be confusing to those used to a more conventional placement; the preview button is on the opposite side of the lens. I've accidentally depressed the multiple-exposure button when advancing the film once or twice, which is certainly annoying.

My camera came with the Vivitar 50mm lens, which seems like a competent performer, although I've not checked it carefully against my other 50mm lenses. This lens is about average in size and weight compared to other 50mm lenses I own.

Note that my "value rating" is based on the new-camera price at various Web retailers; I bought mine used via eBay for much less, but it was in like-new condition when I received it.

Very good feature set for a manual-focus, non-automatic SLR
Compact
Sleeve for film box end on camera back
Clear viewfinder with multiple focusing aids
Shutter works without batteries (although the meter doesn't)
Manual film-speed setting (good for those who bulk load film)

Easy to accidentally press the multiple-exposure button when winding the film
Odd placement of self-timer and depth-of-field preview controls
No indication of shutter speed or aperture in viewfinder
No DX-code reading (easy to forget to set the film speed)

Fujica ST-801
Zenit 122K
Zenit APk
Chinon CE4s
Pentax P30t
Ricoh XR-X 3PF

Not used

I purchased this camera 14 months ago, after my 27-year-old Chinon finally died. It worked quite well (except for the shutter speed/f-stop being rather awkward to adjust while holding the light meter button), until a month ago (1 month out of warranty), when the internal light meter quit working. According to the camera shop where I bought it, the price to repair it would be $150. Frankly, it's the last Vivitar camera I'll ever buy.

Mostly easy to use, reliably producing good photos.

Difficult to adjust focal and shutter settings while holding the light meter. Light meter quit working after 13 months.

I bought this camera after selling Yashika FX-3 with 35-70 lens because of the extra features and the low price. But, after using it for a couple of months, I feel the Yashika was better w.r.t. picture quality and sturdiness. However, I am able to take some good pictures in bright lights or with flash. Light meter works okay. It is the best beginner's camera because of the price and features.

Smooth/low noise, compact/looks, features, and Pentax mount.

The 28-70 lens which comes with the kit is a bit slow and gives a darker view. The silver coating wears off easily as well as the tripod socket. Zoom lens is heavy compared to the new plastic versions.

Yashika FX-3, Cannon EOS 500N.