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Tips for Using a Point & Shoot Camera
Have fun with the T-4/283 combo. I wish they'd make it with a hot shoe, like the old
Minox scale-focusing mini-35mm camera.
M Cole
-- Matthew Cole, January 19, 1997
The new Ricoh GR-1 gives back complete control of exposure, focus, and flash to the
photographer. The lens is a 28mm/2.8 symmar formula. It weighs 6 oz, has metal
everywhere it needs to have it: top, bottom, back, film channel + more. Ricoh has so
understated this camera that it will take most people years to figure out -- finally, there is
a tool to have at all times, and take superb photos. I use it to take available light shots of
musicians and dancers. Oh yes, its full frame 35mm, one inch thick, all black, costs $454.
There's more. Center weighted metering down to EV 6. Then it switches to averaging
plus the finder internally illuminates so you can see the shutter speed, exposure
compensation (2 stops) and distance (ikons) in the finder window. Its a lot of fun!
-- myron wolf, March 5, 1997
I've had a Ricoh GR-1 for about a month and I've shot a dozen rolls of negative and slide
(Velvia, E100S) film with it. I find that the 28 mm f 2.8 lens is very sharp and contrasty
and yields nice colors. On the down side, it appears to be somewhat more prone to flare
than my SLR's lenses, and there is no provision for attaching a lens hood. Exposure
metering is accurate enough for Velvia; exposure compensation is through an intuitive
(for me anyway) analogue knob. The camera is extremely compact and light, and the allmetal
skin rugged. I found the camera control layout easy to understand, and the camera
fits nicely in my hands. It cost $450; I think it's a superb camera.
Some complaints I have are (1) the viewfinder is rather small for eye-glass wearers; (2)
there is no cable release; (3) external flashes cannot be used; (4) on/off button is easy to
activate inadvertently; (5) there's no weatherproofing; (6) no manual ISO setting; (7) no
depth-of field information (even in the manual); (8) somewhat cryptic manual.
-- Adrian Ferre-D'Amare, May 1, 1997
I agree with Philip on his choice of the yashica t4 camera. I personally own 3 cameras...
A canon elan iie w/ a couple of decent lenses, a yashica t4 and a canon elph APS
camera... While each of these have their own merits and limitations... I have to say the
flash metering system specifically fill-flash on the Canon Elph APS camera is the best I
have ever used...
-- Ravi Nagpal, August 28, 1997
http://www.photo.net/learn/point-and-shoot-tips (7 of 35) [5/15/2002 7:15:46 PM]