dhascall's Full Review: Canon Elph LT APS Film Camera
Being a photo buff, I love to try new things, especially if related to 35mm photography. I've always been interested in Advanced Photographic System (APS) film and cameras but have yet to try one.
A few months ago my wife saw a Nikon APS camera on sale in a Target ad. She hates all 35mm point and shoots for one valid reason or another. I have told her about the APS format but never was able to get her attention. She finally decided that we should look at the Canon Elph LT on sale that particular week at Best Buy.
We picked up the LT at the store and our unanimous voices said, "It is so small! We tried it out and were pleased with it's functions but were still confused if it's small size was a plus or a minus. The sales clerk saw our puzzled looks and explained Best Buy's 30 day return policy.
She liked the fact that the red-eye reduction feature's delay could be minimized by half-way depressing the shutter would force the red-eye's "white spot" light to shine so when the shutter is depressed, the shutter and flash would fire on demand. (My Yashica point-shoot 35 does not have this delay over-ride feature and many good pix have been missed by the delay). I liked the slow-sync feature: How many times have you been attempting to shoot indoors or outside at night with your subject in front of a lit diplay? What normally happens is the subject is properly lit but the display (Christmas Tree or illumibated bridge) is dim. The slow-sync fires the flash but allows the shutter to be opened a little longer to absorb in the other parts of the picture. My 35MM SLR's do not have that. The flash is not very strong. It also has date imprinting (although the options aren't as useful as other date/time imprints made available on other cameras) and title imprints such as "Happy Birthday."
Using it: To change many features on the camera (esp. the date imprint
or flash mode) you use a stylus mounted on the end of the small useless strap. Don't lose the strap! The camera is too tiny for my mid-sized hands. Camera shake was pronounced and the strange angles that you have to hold the index finger and thumb is unnatural. You must use two hands! My 35mm pointer (3x heavier) can be fired one handed with great results, if you have to.
Results: The finished prints (using Fuji APS) were okay but not too exceptional. I noticed alot of vignetting, where the outer edges were duller and less defined than the perfect center. This was verified with two different photofinishers.
Summary: After lots of thoughts we decided to return the little wonder and try to put up with the 35 pointers limitations. APS is a great format but maybe it would be better with a bigger camera. This camera would be great for travellers and hikers who are looking to lighten their load.
Advanced Photo System point-and-shoot Fully automatic operation Built-in flash with red-eye reduction Automatic date mode Drop-in film loadingMore at Amazon Marketplace
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