Review 1 of 7
Price Paid:
$83.00
from ebay auctions Summary: I can say I read lots and lots of reviews before opting for this camera. Finally, got it for an incredible price. I could have gotten the 150 version, but it would have cost me 35 dollars more, so... The reason I got this one was because I did not see any negative review anywhere for this specific model, and I thought overall I could hardly go wrong. Oh, and this is not the panoramic/date version.
After four rolls of pictures shot in different conditions, my conclusion is that you end up getting what you pay for. By that, I mean that you can hardly expect the perfect camera for a "low" price, regardless of the price I paid, which happens to be exceptionally low. The camera works GREAT on the outside, but fails completely on the inside. Why ? Because the anti red eye doesn't work. Most of the pictures taken with flash (3 flashes) are horrible. People look like vampires. And we are not talking about people who have scandinavian looks. My son, my wife and I look like Mediterranean Europeans, so, you can't put the blame on genetics. This was a huge diappointment since the previous camera I used (and still have) worked almost perfectly from that point of view.
Now, to the other part, the outside : pictures are incredible. Very sharp, great colours. You can hardly tell the difference between those and pictures taken with a Maxxum 5 for instance. The camera is also very easy to use and is better than my other Minolta on one point : The multi autofocus prevents pictures taken by a non-expert to be repulsively missed. I haven't had a single picture out of focus or blurry of the four rolls I've used. I even gave it to my Father who went to Mexico and I can tell you that he got incredible pictures of sundown in the Acapulco bay. Knowing my Father, that says a lot about the camera.
Overall, don't expect miracles if you take lots of indoor pictures. Use something else if you really need to have souvenirs of special occasions, unless you might be disappointed. Besides that, it is a great camera, and convenient too (fits in any pocket of your trousers). Strengths: - Size.
- Feels comfortable in hands.
- Quick in every sense (my other Minolta is much slower for all operations).
- Safety lock that prevents opening when film is inside.
- Outdoor pictures are incredible.
- Multi autofocus.
- Anybody can use it without the risk of getting blurry or out of focus pictures.
- Price I paid, thus ratio quality/price is unbeatable... Weaknesses: - Zoom makes only four intermediate stops, and that is all.
- Anti red eye system much worse than on my older minolta freedom.
- Very limited flash power for indoor pictures.
- Lens protector looks flimsy. Don't take your camera to the beach just in case !
- Made in China... (is that a guarantee as far as quality control is concerned ?) Similar Products Used: Minolta Freedom Supreme 38-115 mm, and before that a 40 year old Voigtlander... Customer Service: Have not had to use it, and hopefully never will have to (that will be a good sign).
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