As Good As It Gets..
Written: Apr 26 '00 (Updated Jun 10 '00)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Ease of use, many features, telephoto lens, panoramic and regular photos possible
Cons: None That I Have Found
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| gpatters's Full Review: Olympus Stylus Zoom 140 QD 35mm Film Camera |
I love my new Olympus Stylus Zoom camera. It was purchased for an upcoming trip to Alaska because I did not have a camera with a zoom lens. I have taken several rolls of film in order to learn how to use the camera, and I'm very satisfied thus far. My regular camera is the small black Olympus Stylus that I've used and loved for several years.
The model of this camera is the Olympus Stylus Zoom 140 DLX. Included with the camera are a black leather case, a strap, and one 3V lithium battery. The camera itself is a champagne gold color, and is weather resistant - not weather proof. It also has a built-in flash.
Reasons to Purchase an Olympus Stylus Zoom 140 DLX
It is easy to use, and has a lot of nice features that include:
1. A Visual Confirmation Finder (VF). This means the shutter "blinks" when you take the photo so that you know for sure your photo has been taken.
2. Automatic focus by simply pressing the shutter down half way as you frame your shot.
3. The ability to "spot mode" the focus to a selected area. You do this by pressing both the flash button and the remote control button at the same time. They are located on the top of the camera just next to the shutter release. You can see you've done it correctly by looking into the LCD window.
4. You can also "lock" the focus on a subject that is not in the center of your frame by pressing down the shutter half way and then moving your camera so that it now includes the subject.
5. The 140 telephoto lens is the largest I have found in a small camera.
6. You can also take panoramic photos on the same roll of film with regular sized photos. To have these developed properly, you must check with your film processor to be certain that they have the ability to do this. So far, I have had no problems with this aspect using local processors. There is a small convenient button on the top of the camera to change to panoramic and back.
7. You can take close-ups as near as 2 feet with the wide angle, but be sure to check that the subject is entirely within the smaller frame within your viewfinder. You can, for example, cut off someone's head if you don't pay attention to the marks you see through your viewfinder.
8. Using the telephoto lens, you can take photos as close as 3 feet. Again check for the markings in your viewfinder. Instead of being centered in the viewfinder, the markings are actually down and to the left.
9. You have the ability to put a date on your photos.
10. The camera is easy to load.
11. It is possible to carry the camera on your belt while inside the black leather case. There is a nice strap that comes with it, which you can put through the top of the case if you wish.
12. There are several modes of flash, as you would expect in a nice camera such as this, and also red-eye reduction capability.
13. There is a small button located next to the viewfinder which is the Diopter Adjustment. This button allows you to focus for your own vision without changing the actual photo. In other words, this will help you if you normally need glasses but are not wearing them at the moment. (I LOVE THIS FEATURE!)
14. Excellent instruction booklet.
~The biggest problem I've had so far is getting the strap on the camera. Don't laugh, I had a heck of a time getting it into the tiny space provided.~
Cost
I purchased my camera online at Camerasphere.com for $270. I also purchased a 7-year extended warranty for $40. You may find this camera locally, as I did, but the cost was higher by about $100. When you order online, be sure to check for a couple of things. Make sure the camera is "in stock" and not "on order." Also, check the return policy. I had ten days to return the camera without charge. Other locations are 14 days, some with a restocking fee. I actually placed the order using the 800 number because I had some specific questions about the camera. The customer service was very helpful in answering my questions.
I'm including a couple of websites where you can read more about the camera and also place an order:
www.camerasphere.com/camerasphere/olsz140dlxkt.html
www.photoalley.com
~My Personal Experience~
I have taken indoor photos with the flash, red-eye reduction, and without flash with good lighting. All turned out well. I now have enough photos of my cat, Lacey, to make a calendar. She likes to model :-). Outdoors, I have used it for landscapes and also to see just how well the zoom will bring in my subject (Mona the dog). Mona was sometimes moving, and she was still in focus in the prints. I used Kodak Max 400 film. I have used the camera during a tennis tournament as well. The photos of the tennis players' faces, taken from my seat a good distance from the court, came out extremely well. It's just the camera that I wanted. It is small and packed with wonderful features, and the photos are about as good as can be expected with my being the pilot.
For a great review on "Camera Buying Suggestions," please read the review written by Viper1963:
http://www.epinions.com/elec-review-5C0F-804969C-38DD2826-prod3
Please take a moment and leave me a comment. I love comments.
Glo
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
gpatters
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Location: Mid-Missouri
Reviews written: 43
Trusted by: 54 members
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