new owner comment on Sigma SA-7 camera/2 lens bundle
Written: Dec 28 '03
Product Rating:
Ease of Use:
Durability:
Battery Life:
Photo Quality:
Pros: Construction, design touches, ease of use, cost.
Cons: CR2 batteries, manual flash, few (no) options for non-Sigma accessories.
The Bottom Line: Perhaps the best combination of features needed by enthusiasts in a minimalist package with absolutely no gimmicks or frills. The price of the bundle is incredible.
fswartz1's Full Review: Sigma SA-7 35mm Film Camera
I have been looking to get back into film/SLR photography after several years of using either digital or point-and-shoot, but didn't want to plunge into a big investment at this point. I briefly considered a rangefinder, a format which seems to be making a comeback, but the new models (Konica, Contax) were much higher than I expected--don't even mention Leica! From an aesthetic point of view these modern rangefinders are works of art, beautifully finished metal bodies with bright viewfinders, excellent (though costly)lenses, and easy to carry. But I want to be able to do occasional macro shots as well as pictures of my daughter's soccer games, so this wasn't really an option. (I might still bid on a used rangefinder from eBay at some point!)
I also looked at several "entry-level" SLRs, such as the Minolta Maxxum 5, Nikon N75, Canon Rebel, etc. and liked the small size and reasonable prices, but was put off by some of the obvious cost-cutting measures: plastic lens mounts, no mirror lock-up, and also found the controls overly dependent on menus, icons, and digital camera-style shooting modes. I was interested in a model which I could "grow into" without soon wishing I had bought something less entry level, but also wanted to be realistic about which features I would be likely to use. The next step up, to Maxxum 7/Nikon N-80, Canon Elan, was an option, but at a considerable jump in price, and I wasn't sure I would actually use many of the additional features. I also had some misgivings about the ergonomics of the more costly cameras: more controls, more complex shooting modes, often multiple layers of menus to navigate, etc.
I had briefly used autofocus in the mid-1990s and had mixed feelings about the experience. Middle-aged eyes were grateful for some assistance, but I was often annoyed by the AF "seeking" a target or being unable to lock on moving subjects or in low light. The noise and battery drain were also annoyances. AF systems have improved, so maybe this wouldn't be as big an issue anymore. I ended-up not being able to resist the Sigma SA-7 bundle ($289 for body, 28-80mm and 70-30mm AF lenses plus lens hoods and case) after reading several reviews which seemed to indicate that most of the camera's compromises were in line with my needs. The camera has all the modern features of a good SLR but few embellishments, and includes some features which used to be taken for granted on SLRs but which are now mostly limited to higher-cost models, such as metal lens mounts, depth-of-field preview, and mirror lock-up.
My experience after a couple of weeks seems to confirm this assessment. One slight surprise: the bundle includes the SA-7N QD, with the data back (which I had not expected). The body is small but not tiny (as I found with the Pentax *ist for example) and feels very solid. The viewfinder is reasonably bright and has built-in diopter correction. More importantly for me, I like the minimalist display in the viewfinder: a simple read-out of shutter speed/aperture/flash status along the bottom; I find many modern displays "busy" and distracting.
The camera controls I also find very well-thought out, though an earlier reviewer downgraded the ergonomics. Possibly someone with large hands would find the body a bit small, but for my hands it is very well sized and shaped.
Clear, high-contrast white-on-black text marks the controls, rather than tiny smiling-faces, mountain-landscapes, and sports icons as on so many other entry-level cameras. The "drive" dial on the left side of the prism controls film transport functions, mirror lock-up, time-delay, multiple exposure and auto-bracketing, and also serves as the power switch. Neatly spaced at 90 degree intervals around this dial are three well-marked controls for metering, auto-focus, and a function button. The latter can toggle audible focus lock signal, flash modes, and manual film speed setting. The metering button toggles through three options (matrix, center, & average) which are easily followed through the viewfinder. The AF button toggles single or continuous AF. To the left of the lens mount is the depth-of-field preview button, and a sensor for an infrared remote-controlled shutter release (not included).
Shutter speed is a simple rotary dial on the right side of the body, into which is also set the selector switch for program/aperture/shutter-priority/manual modes. A simple white dot on the right side of the viewfinder housing marks the setting for the shutter speed. In contrast to the more sophisticated SA-9, the SA-7 shutter tops-out at 1:2,000 seconds, but realistically I don't expect this to be a serious limitation even when shooting my daughter's lively soccer games! Just below this are two small buttons to control exposure lock and exposure compensation. On the back, of course, is the data back with date and time functions. Access to batteries (2xCR2) is at the bottom of the body; the SA-9 uses the larger 2CR5 battery, which could be an advantage in some situations.
A "command" dial surrounding the shutter release is used to make incremental changes in combination with other switches such as exposure or metering; this is very handy as the dial is easy to operate without moving away from the shutter release, and the click stops on the dial are easy to hear, so you know when a change has been made (I dislike scrolling through layered menus while also trying to stay focused on what is in the viewfinder). In short, the ergonomics are to me one of the strongest points of the SA-7.
In the field the camera handles well: compact but robust, everything easy to reach and see even in dim light. There is no distracting chrome or shiny plastic, and though the body is polycarbonate, it feels more rugged than other "entry-level" SLRs I tried, yet is noticeably more compact than the more costly N-80 or EOS Elan. A nicely rubberized handgrip helps, too. In everything but very low light I found AF and metering quick and relatively silent, and the shutter release and film advance crisp without being too noisy. The flash does not pop-up automatically, which some may find an annoyance; I personally prefer not to have the flash pop-up without my having triggered it, and the need for flash is clearly indicated in the viewfinder.
Thus far I have been extremely pleased with the SA-7, and with the bundled lenses as well. Contrary to one review I read, these both have metal lens mounts, and lens hoods are also included. Not the fastest lenses in the world, of course, which at this price point is hardly surprising, but solidly-built, well enough damped for manual focus situations, and again free of distracting chrome trim. Both have macro capability, though I haven't yet had much opportunity to test this on the longer lens. Images taken with both lenses were sharp and clear, and well exposed with the exception of a couple of shots in which I had forgotten to lift the flash unit (maybe the automatic pop-up would be good after all!).
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 289 This Camera is a Good Choice if You Want Something... Flexible Enough for Enthusiasts
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