>I have used Minolta X-700's (about $250) exclusively for many years and >have had exceptional results with both the quality of the photos and the >durability of the bodies.
I have used the X-700 since my beginnings in this hobby, and have found it to be very tough and reliable, although the film counter in mine is broken and I've ripped the sprockets out of more than one roll of film before. Also, I love the price of Minolta's MD lens series, and the single focal length lenses like the 50/f2 and 135/f2.8 have excellent sharpness and in-viewfinder brightness. I would recommend this camera to ANYONE who is looking for a solid entry level buy that will take them into the advanced amateur stage. >I can't see how all this expensive stuff >benefits the average railfan, unless you want to be a "point and shoot" >photographer. The extra cost seems to be for features that you need >less and less as your photography skill increases. Sure, you can get >computerized light meters with all this stuff about perimeter and center >weighting, but what ever happened to your eyes and your instinct ?? I >have'nt used a light meter for almost ten years (I don't even know if >mine works !) and rarely over/under expose a shot, regardless of the >conditions - and I use K25, which is'nt very forgiving in that area !! I used to feel this way, but have changed over the years. I can't understand why all the top professional cameras (35mm at least) have the fully automated program and sports/scenic/portrait etc modes as pros would use these extremely rarely at best. However, I am in the market for a Canon A2 because it offers some features that my X-700 doesn't have. First and foremost, it has a *spot* meter, and the X-700 has only an averaging meter. I am a student of Ansel Adams' zone system, and it's extremely hard to follow his concepts without the spot meter. I used to use the "sunny 16" rule often, but have found that it just isn't accurate enough on the various degrees of "sunny," much less the changing conditions so common to us here in Missouri and throughout the West. I also need the A2's mirror lock-up for macro shots, but not for RR shooting. As much as I love Minolta's lenses, Canon's latest offerings are more than enough to tempt me. Anybody seen their 100mm f2.8 (or is it f2?) macro lens? Good golly, it's the sharpest lens I've ever seen! Just thought I'd offer a non-professional reason to upgrade to a higher-grade system. For the record, I am a 2nd year college student with EXTREMELY limited funds, so the A2 may be a long time in coming :-) Keep on shooting, whatever camera you use. Shooter's block is a dangerous disease! ---Mark--- UP? Never. SP Forever! -> SPORRS: 'Serious Photographers Of Railroad Related Subjects' -> Web Site: http://www.anet-stl.com/acphotog/sporrs/ -> Message © 1998 SPORRS® - All Rights Reserved
