This guide is designed to help you get a sense of the sort of Camcorder you are interested in and some tips on issues to consider before choosing.   Types of Camcorder The history of consumer video cameras (i.e. not using rolls of film) can be divided into clear phases: Cameras using full sized VHS or Betamax tapes either in a seperate tape recorder with a connected camera or with the tape inside the camera. (The classic design with the camera resting on the user’s shoulder is most well known). These are huge and old and finding one that works is … Continue reading Camcorders: An Overview

I have been giving an overview of classic SLRs, by which I mean those from the start of TTL (through the lens metering, so you can set the light settings with information in the viewfinder) up to the start of the autofocus era. My main emphasis has been on small and light SLRs heralded by the arrival of the Olympus OM-1 in 1972. I started with the dominant consumer cameras from Olympus and Pentax, then looked at the dominant manufacturers; Canon and Minolta (although the number 1; Nikon will wait for later). In this post I will give an overview … Continue reading Classic SLRs Part 4: The Rest

Minolta have always been the third of the big three with Canon and Nikon. But always third. In the end, it all became too much and after combining with Konica, they gave up and sold the rights to their camera designs to Sony, where the Minolta heritage continues. For some reason, vintage Minoltas seem less popular than other very similar cameras, and despite innovative designs, excellent build and very attractive cameras, they sell for really good prices, especially those less than the top model in each range. Testament to how good they are is that when Leica looked for a … Continue reading Classic SLRs Part 3: Which Minolta?

In part 1, I confessed to being a serious fan of the Oympus OM-1. Small, light, perfect handling, beautifully built. This to me was the start of the classic era of SLR photography. Bigger, bulkier cameras existed before and some stayed around too, but every manufacturer built cameras tending to the OM-1 format, most clearly the Pentax M series. Now, Nikon, as the market leader are a story unto themselves, but what were the other two heavyweights, Canon and Minolta doing? In this part, I will look at Canon and in part 3 of the series I’ll deal with Minolta. … Continue reading Classic SLRs Part 2: Which Canon?