night_vision's Full Review: Kodak Advantix C400AF APS Film Camera
Recently I developed the wish for a camera, specifically an advantex camera. I’d been experimenting with different photo sizes that an advantex can offer through using both disposable films and, when he wasn’t looking, my brother’s camera. I was impressed by the versatility, and had decided that I wanted to try and start a more comprehensive photographic record of my life (perhaps for posterity?), so the natural step was to get an advantex camera of my own.
Of course, all this background doesn’t just serve to let me talk about my life, as fascinating as I’m sure you’d all find that. No, what I’m trying to illustrate is that my needs in a camera were simple: it had to be small, light, easy to use, and not cost too much. Sarcastic comments on how simple that is aside the point is that I wasn’t looking for a fancy top-of-the range piece of equipment, just something that works and hopefully gives me good pictures at that same time.
The Kodak C400 was something of a godsend in that regard. It had everything I wanted and more.
The size is just about perfect as far as I’m concerned, small, but large enough to get a grip on - it’s about 5 x 10.5 x 3 cm big when folded away. I say that because to use the camera you have to flip up the front of the camera (as you can see in the picture). This is actually a rather nifty touch, because not only does it provide a better location for the flash on the camera than other designs, but also it means accidental photos are something of the past. Since you have to lift this thing up first to take a photo, the chances of this happening and then the picture button getting pressed, especially if it’s in the carry-case it comes with, are miniscule. Also on the topic of the shape, it’s a nice touch that the camera has two plastic “grip points” for your hands to use that, if you use them properly, stop your fingers getting in the way of any photos.
The number of modes you can selected is just enough to ensure you don’t need to use them, but they’re there if you need them. Timer delay, auto flash and their ilk are all here, but don’t expect anything too extravagant. Pushing a small button at the back a number to times to scroll through options operates the menu, which is where one flaw creeps in. The button is only very small, and a little awkward to use for me – I doubt anyone with problems with their hands should try to use it. A similar concern about eyes and the size of the screen emerges, but I should note this wasn’t a problem for me as such.
Perhaps one of the few complaints I have is that when using the standard “Auto flash” option, the photo doesn’t take the instant you press the button, probably because it’s seeing if a flash is needed or something. However it is a bit irritating if you want to take a photo to whip out the camera and either have that delay, or have to switch the setting to an appropriate one before taking the picture (the camera reverts to the default option each time).
Although it’s hardly unique to this camera, a moment should be taken to talk about the “advantex” system of photos. This enables you to take pictures in three different sizes, each basically becoming wider as you go along. Personally I’ve found it a really nice addition to my option for photographing things, because there are inevitably moments when there’s more you want to get in than will fit into a standard size of picture. It’s quite apparent that it does this by adjusting the zoom, and using less of the film to project onto, but regardless it makes for a nice touch that is easy to use. Sometimes, in low light, the quality of a photo will suffer if taken in panoramic as opposed to standard size, in that it’ll be a bit fuzzy in patches. But if you use the setting properly it isn’t a problem - and it’s not a big issue anyway, just something I noticed absently.
But overall these are minor complaints. The camera fulfilled all the criteria I went looking for a product with, and it looks pretty damn cool into the bargain. A camera to consider if you don’t want to spend a fortune and still want good pictures.
Fixed focus system 23mm hybrid lens LCD panel clearly displays shooting information Pop-up flash fires in low-light situations Self-timer lets you tak...More at Amazon Marketplace
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