Nikon Pronea S

This little classic is true to its original slogan, it is really a "camera that inspires." Point and shoot simplicity coupled with SLR funcionality and the versatility of the APS format. My wife bought one in Budapest for the equivalant of usd 580 with a 30-60mm zoom in 2001 after seeing some marvellous cityscapes made by her boss. Until then I was toying with a Yashica electro 35, a classic itself, she had a manual Canon SLR, but by then both cameras had reached the end of their life expectancies and we needed a new camera. Our honeymoon in 2001 in Prague resulted a whole serie of stunning images, especially in the wide panorama format, a speciality of the APS system. Since then, photography has become a love affair for both of us, thanks to the Pronea S. Years have elapsed and ever since, friends and colleagues keep asking us, if we had been traveling somewhere, they are eager to see our pictures. In 2002 I had to buy a second Pronea S camera to keep us from fighting over the one we had. Then I switched over to a Nikon F4, having been hooked by the greater resolution of 35mmm film. Yes, 35mm does have greater resolution than APS, but APS (especially its panorama format) clearly has a much higher "awe-factor". Most people love it. The very last proof is a three-week trip in the summer of 2004 in Italy. The two of us shot nearly 50 rolls. At the end people were clearly more enthusiastic about APS pictures. We were shooting at the same time, same locations, swapping even lenses (20/2.8, AFS 24-85G, 85/1.4, 70-300/4-5.6) our photographic abilities are roughly similar, and sometimes I was shooting with the Pronea, but at the end "public interest" clearly tilted towards - mainly panorama - APS images. (Some day we will have our website to prove all this to you, until then, you will have to take my word for it). I wish we could have panorama format in digital!!! In 35mm you have panorama with the Hasselblad X-Pan, but as I see it the APS format gives you better - more elongated and visually more satisfying - proportions. Cropping your normal (35mm or digital) images to achieve panorama proportions will not give you the same stunning results. You need to compose your pictures from the very start accordingly. You will be surprised how handy, adaptable this format can be when shooting elongated horizontal and vertical images. It yields exciting images, while the standard 35mm format - that has been around for so many decades - is often very boring. But were does this take us at the end of year 2004, with digital coming so strongly? Buy digital, we will too. But if somebody tosses one at you, don't jump away. Grab it, you will have great fun! If you cannot shoot with a Pronea, you can forget photography all together. Choose a hobby that better suits you.

Truly inspiring Great awe-factor! Mot people love it's pictures. Very light, practical and easy to use. The shaky 30-60mm zoom that comes with it is suprisingly good and sharp. Good light metering, better than F-4.

It's not digital. Would love its panorama format in digital! Developing more expensive than 35mm. Few shops have the expertise to do it properly. APS is dead by now, don't invest into it.

Yashica electro 35G, Canon A1, Nikon F-4

None required

Why did Nikon decide to discontinue this camera? Maybe APS is some sort of pejorative in the "professional" world. I, being one of those who think that a fancy camera is as good as the one pressing the shutter button, am surprised that this format is being ignored as a perfectly good addition to any serious photographer's arsenal. This camera is light, friendly, stylish and overall well-conceived considering that this was obviously not meant to be a "serious" camera, but for the enthusiast or amateur. When using my other Nikkor lenses the images are crisp and superb (if I avoid Kodak's 400 film, well, Kodak, overall; Fuji's film is very good; even 400 speed is surprisingly satisfying). I don't like hauling my 35mm camera around at gatherings, and this is small enough to incite the curiosity of the shiest of subjects. Its biggest aid is when I'm shooting B&W 35mm: I tend to shoot with the Pronea using color film so that I can compare my B&W prints and concentrate on certain details in the darkroom. This camera will record all your picture's settings (date, time, aperture, shutter speed) which is of great insight if you have your rolls transferred to CD. I am disappointed there is no absolute manual setting, but that (and about $100-200) is the main difference between the Pronea 6 and the Pronea S. The landscape feature is a great composing tool. If you get your film on CD, you still get the full frame on CD.

Can use all AF Nikkor lenses. Small, stylish. It takes advantage of all the Advantix features (mid-roll change, data recording, etc.). With stepping ring, I can use all my filters I have for my other cameras. Auto/manual focus at will; nice flash.

No full manual setting. No flash shoe.

Nikon Coolpix 885; Canon Elan IIe; Hasselblad 500c

Long hold times, but great service once you get a hold of a human on the line.

It's not an F-5 or F-100, but it does the Nikon family proud. I was very hesitant to add an APS to my stable of cameras, but figured what the heck at the price for an SLR Nikon APS. I was shocked at the first roll, and everyone since. It is a fantastic "party" camera for snapshots and adding the dimension of panoramic format. This is really where it's worth it. You can get creative with the panoramic and not just use it to take the obligatory and ubiquitous mountain or seaside sunset shot. I have a great shot in panoramic from about 6 feet which is my wife's profile and a friend talking to each other. It's just two heads and some blank space in between. Everyone loves the shot that has seen it. The qualitiy is really amazing for such a small film format. Get it if you can find it for this price. It's worth every penny.

Interchangeable lenses Strong pop-up flash Lightweight Very easy to use

None if you're evaluating this against other APS cameras for what it really is: a great snapshot camera.

Canon ELPH (Pronea blows away the ELPH)

not needed, but expect good service from Nikon

After much debate and a some hesitation, I bought a Pronea S. I will say I am very suprised at what I got. To test the camera, I loaded with 200 iso film and shot indoors in normal to dim ambient lighting. I used the built in speedlight and had some very impressive shots. I found the camera also handles mixed lighting situations very well. Outside the camera function well, shooting into the sun, and away from the sun. The lens seems to be a bit under-rated for the unit, but actually is quite usable...especially if you are trying to get away from extra bulk and weight when traveling. Film handling is a breeze, and the mid-roll rewind feature is very nice. This unit also has several little features that are only found on higher end slr cameras. Although they are not extreme in what they can do, these features are still available...and not much different from some of Nikon''s newer 35mm slr set-ups. Overall, I think this unit is good for someone who wants more than a point-and-shoot will offer, but probably a bit minimal for someone who is looking for a great deal of slr style control.

*Compact *uses most all Nikon D-series AF lenses *mid-roll rewind *fairly easy to use with multiple program modes

*no hotshoe for additional flash power *no indication of what speed film is loaded *included IX mount lens can''t be used on other nikon bodies (except pronea 6i) *included lens is slower than I''d like (f4@30mm

*there aren''t really any other APS slr''s on the market *Kodak C400 aps *pentax SLR systems

none needed yet

Hey, it''s a Nikon....dude!!, yes it is, the Pronea6i''s litte brother, is a less capable, but still, a powerful, picture taking machine. it''s sleek, design is so as you say ergonomic, and satisfying to hold even with it''s size. Not as big as it''s big brother, 6i, but with it''s lack of features, this is a quality camera. From the beginner tothe experienced photo_buff; this baby is "killah". Hey what cha expect; it''s a Nikon......dude!!

Easy to handle, and easier to master than it''s big brother 6i, but this little baby, pack a wallup, hey all jokes aside, this is a true to life Nikon. And it is for real.....dude! Take one out and try it. You will be pleasantly pleased.

It''s a small but powerful, shadow of it''s discontinued big brother, the 6i. Could have used more features.

Nikon 5005, Pronea 6i, N70, my brand new N80, hey folks these Nikons, "kick a__", my Pentax K-1000, and an Olympus XA.

None, but hey it''s a Nikon.....dude(dudettes too)!!and that means quality customer service.